As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day or "America's birthday" as my kids call it, there are sure to be many reunions, BBQs and fireworks planned by households across America.  

Here are some tips to help keep your family’s celebration healthy and safe this year:

5.  Drink Up!  (Water, that is. ) 

July is hot! Dang hot. To stay hydrated, be sure to keep plenty of water on hand. My 5 year old recently asked me, “Did you know your body is composed of 60% water?” which reminded me just how important it is to keep our family hydrated. (She then proceeded to ask, “Did you know there are 14 bones in an owl’s neck?” which is, of course, less-actionable information.) To keep things simple (and earth-friendly) put out pitchers of water on the picnic table so guests can help themselves instead of plastic water bottles. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, add strawberries or cucumbers for a touch of flavor. 

4. Kill that bacteria

With all those grills being lit and barbeques being planned, there's bound to be a lot of raw meat around. And I’m not just talking about the hunky dudes by the poolside. Raw foods like chicken or beef can harbor salmonella. Use disinfecting wipes  to wipe down your counters after prepping your BBQ meat dishes to help prevent the spread of harmful bacteria. Then slow down and grill!

3.  Lather up

As you (or if you’re lucky, someone you've assigned) work feverishly over the grill, your kids may be off playing in the grass or digging up worms. If you can't get them to a sink to wash their hands before they dig into the meal, make sure you have hand sanitizer near by to keep germs at bay. Let’s face it, BBQs and picnics are all about eating with your hands!

2.       Plan a healthy menu

Ok, not too healthy — we’re not saints here. But if you can ditch the fried chicken, try healthier alternatives. Our company recently acquired Soy Vay  which makes dressings and marinades. I had a chance to try some of their sauces and I gotta tell ya, that stuff was good.  You can check out some of their yummy recipes here.  Slurp!

1.    Cover up and chill

With all the food that the gang will be cheffing up, be sure no one leaves the BBQ spread out all day. To avoid foodborne illness (let’s face it, you’ve dealt with enough puke in your lifetime), don’t let food sit outside for too long. The U.S. FDA recommends never leaving food out for more than one hour when the temperature is above 90 F, and not more than two hours at other times. If you know you’re going to be out for longer, bring coolers and containers to keep the food chilled.

Have a happy 4^th of July! What tips do you have for a safe and healthy holiday?

Use all cleaning products as directed.