Barbecue safety tips ahead of 4th of July

Mass. (WWLP) – Some safety tips for those planning to host a barbeque this Fourth of July.

Health experts are reminding people to clean and sanitize. The Department of Agriculture recommends washing your hands before and after handling raw meat or poultry. They also say to keep cold foods in a cooler, and hot foods in warming trays or slow cookers throughout the day. Some locals say they plan to spend a lot of time cooking with their family.

Genifer Campana Ruiz of Springfield told 22News, “We always cook together. I cook with my mom my sister and myself. It usually takes two hours and a half. We usually wake up at five o’clock in the morning and it gets done by twelve.”

If you’re planning to grill on the fourth, the agriculture department says to use a thermometer for meats or poultry. You can do this to make sure they’re fully cooked and to avoid any foodborne illnesses.

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