• If you want to reuse a marinade as a sauce or glaze, boil it for 2 minutes first, or set some aside before adding raw meat


• Thaw and marinate meats in the refrigerator, on a low shelf, and on a plate to catch drips. If you thaw in the microwave, make sure to grill the food immediately after thawing


• Have fresh platters and utensils ready for cooked foods; don't put cooked foods back on the same platters that were used for raw


• Don't let food sit out for more than an hour on days over 90 degrees F (or two hours when it's cooler)


• Keep perishables and drinks in separate coolers, so you can open and close the beverage cooler as needed without raising the temperature of the meat

Don't let these pests ruin a good time.

Bees & Ants

• Keep food in covered containers to deter ants


• To minimize the bee factor, keep soda and beer cans covered when not drinking out of them. Don't leave sweet foods, drinks, or cut fruits out

Mosquitoes

• Make sure there's no standing water near your house; it's a prime breeding ground for mosquitoes. Check birdbaths, old toys, flower pots, and tire swings for stagnant water


• Use insect repellent on your body and clothes


• Set up citronella candles around your eating area to repel mosquitoes while adding ambiance


• Avoid bug zappers and yard sprays. Beneficial insects, like ladybugs and honey bees, can be killed along with the pests


• A mosquito magnet is expensive, but can be very effective. It's a machine that emits carbon dioxide to attract blood-sucking insects, like mosquitoes, and then sucks them into a net. If used often and early in the season, mosquitoes won't have a chance to reproduce