Guthrie County Health Services wants county residents to have an enjoyable summer by giving some tips to avoid foodborne illnesses while grilling outdoors or hosting a picnic.

Guthrie County Public Health Director Jotham Arber gives six tips to avoiding food poisoning: wash hands before and after handling food, don’t leave food sitting out for more than two hours, make sure to have plenty of ice if you don’t have access to a refrigerator to keep your food cool, keep your cooler in the air conditioned part of your car if you’re transporting food, keep raw meat separate from cooked foods, and always use a food thermometer when cooking meat. Arber adds that symptoms of food poisoning may take hours or days to develop, such as diarrhea and vomiting. If contracted, Arber advises to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.