Summer is a great time to eat al fresco, whether you’re grilling or having a potluck — or both. But besides the bugs, be sure you don’t invite some other unwanted critters to your meal. We’re talking about bacteria that can make you and your fellow picnicgoers sick. Bringing food outside to allow people to serve themselves is the first thing that might put diners at risk. Hot summer temperatures allow food’s temperature to increase rapidly, making it more hospitable to germs. If you’re partially cooking food on the stove or in the oven prior to grilling it, then be sure it goes straight from the kitchen to the hot grill — don’t leave it sitting around, allowing bacteria to grow. Meat, poultry, eggs and creamy salads are the biggest culprits when it comes to bacteria.

Keep these foods at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less, and cook meat until it’s no longer pink inside. Everyone enjoys a juicy burger, but no one enjoys suffering from E. coli. If you’re on the go, use a separate cooler for foods and drinks — more than likely, the drinks cooler will be opened more often, allowing cold to escape. A full cooler will stay cold longer than a partially full one. And use the two-hour rule. If a dish has been sitting out for up to two hours — less if it contains meat, eggs, dairy products or mayonnaise — throw it away.