Picnicking can be a relaxing and fun activity, assuming you’re safe and courteous. If you’re new to picnicking or need a refresher course, make sure to read How to Plan a Picnic for ideas on food and locations. Before you pack everything up, make sure to review these general guidelines to ensure everyone has a great time!
Be Prepared
- Water: pack extra water, just in case it’s hotter than expected or end up being out hiking longer than planned
- Cleaning Supplies: bring along paper towel or napkins to wipe those sticky fingers or to clean up that drop of mustard on your shirt
- Trash Bags: pack a trash bag to carry away any garbage
- Antibacterial Gel or Disinfectant Wipes: you may not find running water where you’re headed so be prepared to stay germ free
- Sunscreen: picnicking = sunny weather = sunburn = skin cancer. You do the math.
Be Law Abiding
- Check the food/cooking policies of your destination. Some sites may not allow picnicking or grilling equipment
- Do not stray from the designated picnic areas
- Do not feed the animals, no matter how cute and cuddly they seem!
- Do not litter! When you leave, there shouldn’t be any sign that you were there
Be Safe
- Food Temperatures – remember to keep hot food hot and cold food cold. It sounds simple enough but food poisoning runs rampant during picnic season. Fill your cooler with plenty of ice (tip: freeze water in used milk cartons or disposable storage containers).
- Cleanliness – keep any cooking utensils clean and do not cross-contaminate raw meat and raw foods.
- Fire Danger – if grilling or having a camp fire, be aware of current wildfire danger levels. Be prepared to fully extinguish your fire before you leave
Although many of these guidelines are common sense, it’s always a good idea to make sure you’ve planned a safe picnic. It only takes a few minutes and can save you from sunburn, sickness or other harm.
Happy picnicking!
For further reading:
USDA Food Safety Factsheets
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{ 4 comments }
When all our picnics involved young children, I developed the habit of bringing along several damp-to-wet washcloths in a ziplock bag for wiping up Whatever. Sometimes the mess requires more than a dry paper towel or a “wipe your hands on the grass,” and I don’t like to use the store-bought wipes whose odor usually clashes with the lingering good food smells.
Great post, we love to picnic and make sure it’s safe. You can become so sick and you do not respect the rules. Hope you’re having fun on the cruise.
Thanks so much, I almost feel like printing a few hundred of these leaflets and hand them out at some picninc spots, not everyone cares as much as you!!!!
useful post.
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