The Fourth of July weekend is here and that means it's time to grill out.
The USDA has released guidelines to make sure you eat safely.
Experts say you should use a meat thermometer to make sure food is cooked thoroughly.
Beef should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees. If you're cooking pork, make sure it's 160 degrees. Chicken needs to be 165 degrees.
If you're using a smoker, the internal air temperature should stay between 225 and 300 degrees. All meat should be thawed before cooking, but don't defrost it at room temperature.
Marinate food in the refrigerator, not on the counter. Meat should be taken from the grill on a clean plate. You should refrigerate leftovers immediately.
If the food has been left out for more than an hour when the temperature goes above 90 degrees, throw it away.
