Charlotte, NC – The long Fourth of July weekend brings barbecues, picnics and other family gatherings. Along with the summer heat and humidity comes the additional risk of bacteria and food-borne illnesses such as e-coli and listeriosis. The Mecklenburg County Health Department wants residents to stay healthy by handling food properly when the weather heats up.

It's important to take proper precautions when preparing perishable foods such as meat, poultry, seafood and eggs products. Watch tips

Always remember to:

• Keep foods in a cooler or refrigerator until they are ready to use.
• Pack the cooler with ice since a full cooler will maintain its cold temperature longer.
• Store perishables in a sealed plastic bag to avoid juices from meats causing cross contamination of other items. Meats should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours.
• When grilling out, make sure that ground beef, pork, and chicken products are cooked thoroughly to avoid the threat of salmonella.

Fireworks are another cause for concern this time of year. Every summer, dozens of people throughout the state suffer eye and other injuries from errant explosives. Remember, only certain types of fireworks are permitted in North Carolina. While sparklers, snakes, trick noisemakers and smoke devices are legal, explosives, aerial fireworks, roman candles and rockets are not.

To keep yourself and your family safe:

• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
• Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from structures, dry leaves and flammable materials.
• Never try to relight fireworks that appear to have malfunctioned.
• Keep a bucket of water handy in case of malfunction or fire.

Using a little caution and common sense will help ensure that families have a happy and healthy holiday and summer season. For more information on foodborne illnesses, visit www.meckhealth.org.