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Keep Your Family’s Food Safe in the Heat

The kids are ready, snacks are packed, and you’re headed out for some summer fun. Summer is a great time for outdoor activities, but the higher temperatures can cause food to go bad more quickly than you might think. A few easy habits can keep your family safe and feeling good all summer long.

 

What Happens When It Gets Hot

In the summer, warm air does something you can't see. It helps bacteria grow fast in food that's been left out. Food starts to enter what food safety experts call the "danger zone" when it sits between 40°F and 140°F. At those temperatures, bacteria can double in less than 30 minutes.

 

The rule is simple: Don't leave food out for more than two hours. If it's over 90°F outside (which is true for most of the Texas summer!), cut that to one hour. Afterward, when in doubt, throw it out.

Most of the time, spoiled food causes an upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea that clears up in a day or two. However, young children can get dehydrated quickly when they're sick, which can cause even more issues.

 

Pack It Right Before You Head Out

A good cooler is your best tool. Here’s how to get the most out of it:

 

• Use ice packs or frozen gel packs instead of loose ice. They last longer and won't make your food soggy.
• Pack a separate cooler for drinks. Every time someone opens the cooler for a cold drink, warm air gets in. A cooler just for drinks means your food cooler stays closed and cold.
• Keep the food cooler in a shady spot. Avoid leaving it in the car – a closed car trunk in the summer can become dangerously hot, fast.
• Pull out what you need, then close it. Don't leave the cooler open.
• Pack meats while they are still frozen. They'll stay safe longer and thaw slowly as the day goes on.

Food like cut fruit, cheese, deli meat, potato salad, and anything with mayo needs to stay cold. If you’re not sure they have stayed cold enough, throw them out.

 

What to Watch for with Young Children

Kids are the most likely to pick up food from a blanket, graze from a bag all afternoon, or hand something to a sibling after touching the ground. Germs on kids’ hands can increase the risk of foodborne illness.

 

Make sure everyone washes their hands, or uses hand sanitizer, before anyone eats. This is one of the easiest ways to stop germs from spreading. Hand sanitizer works when soap and water aren’t available, but check the label – it needs to at least be 60% alcohol to be effective. Bring napkins or paper towels to wipe away any germs the sanitizer killed. If you can, pack a small jug of water and soap so kids can do a real wash before lunch.

 

Keep finger foods and snacks in a sealed container, not an open bag. Toddler favorites like cheese cubes, grapes, and cut melon are all risky in the heat. Keep them in the cooler until you're ready to eat.

 

If your child gets sick and can't keep fluids down, watch for signs of dehydration. These include a dry mouth, no tears when crying, sunken eyes, or going a long time without needing to use the bathroom. If you see these signs, call your child's doctor right away.

 

Have Questions? Our Nurse Line Is Here

ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ members have access to the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Nurse Line, a service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If your child gets sick this summer and you're not sure what to do, a registered nurse can help you figure out your next step. Call 1-888-667-7890 anytime.

 

For more health tips, visit ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½Plan.com.