Camping and Picnics

Don't ruin an outing by eating food or drinking water that is unsafe. Stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea are all telltale signs of food poisoning that not only can spoil an outing but can lead to more serious health problems.

Here are some precautions you can take:

Packing

• Before packing your cooler, wash it with a mild soap and a bleach-water solution and rinse with cold water. This will clean, sanitize and pre-chill it.
• You can load coolers with ice packs but they should be kept frozen or replaced with an ice block or cubes.
• Keep all meats, fish, poultry and dairy products as cold as they get in your fridge. The warmer the weather, the more chance food sitting around is going to grow a lot of bacteria.
• Freezing meat ahead of time is another good way to start out.
• Store raw meats in a separate cooler from ready to eat foods like fruit, cheese and lettuce.
• Don't be fooled by the smell or taste of food. If it isn't handled safely, food can pack enough poisons to spoil your meals and fun, despite the taste
• If you don't want to waste any space in your cooler, think about packing frozen juices and milk as your ice pack. On top of offering you a refreshing drink as they start to thaw, they keep eggs, cheese, cold cuts and potato and macaroni salads cold.
• For carefree packing without the ice, take canned fruit or vegetables and peanut butter, jam, crackers or dry cereal. Also, some sporting stores sell dried foods for campers.
• Coolers work best when they are stored in a cool place and have tight-fitting lids.

 Preparing Foods

• Clean hands and dishes will also help to keep you healthy on your holiday. Make sure you pack dishwashing soap, clean dish towels and paper towels. You'll want to wash your hands before handling any food.
• A barbeque will cook foods quickly on the outside; but make sure the food is well done in the middle too. Always cook hamburger, chicken, sausage and other meats until juices run clear when poked with a fork and there is no pink in the middle.
• Take care not to put your barbequed food back on the plate that held the raw meat. Bacteria from the uncooked meat may still be alive and can contaminate your meal.
• Hot off the grill is a well-worn saying for two good reasons. It means the food is tasty but it's also safer. Eat meat while it's hot. While the food is making its way to hungry mouths, keep a lid on it to keep out unwanted insects and flies that may carry germs.

Drinking Water

• Clear lake or river water may seem inviting to the thirsty onlooker, but it can be home to millions of bacteria, viruses and parasites. They may be too small to be seen, but they're not too small to make you ill.
• Find out what drinking water is available before you head out. Some sites and municipalities offer a treated water source for travelling visitors to cottage and camping country. You may need to bring along a supply from home. If that's not practical, always boil water for 10 minutes and let it cool before drinking. Or ask the staff at a local camp supply store about a portable water treatment unit.