My favorite beach is Emerald Isle. I love having a picnic lunch while I am there. Here are some of the ways I keep my family safe:
1. My lunch usually isn’t anything fancy. It usually consists of finger foods such as cucumbers, cantaloupe, watermelon or carrots. I always include wraps such as tuna salad or egg salad, nothing that will melt, and I always carry partially frozen bottles of water with me.
2. I don’t want any ants, horse flies, sea gulls, bees and certainly no food poisoning to ruin 
my perfect day. So I always try to plan ahead when I am going to the beach, so that I don’t forget any essential items that I might need for a safe picnic such as a cooler with ice, clean utensils, storage bags or containers for leftovers, paper towels, table cloth and trash bags. Table cloths are much easier to wash than blankets.
3. I use disposable wet wipes or hand sanitizer to clean my hands before I touch food because running water is not available. I always plan some games for the children to play after they finish eating.
4. I don’t leave foods out in the sun. I position the cooler behind my beach chair in the shade. I serve the food quickly from the cooler and return it fast.
For more tips to keep your family safe visit foodsafety.gov
Writing this blog makes me want to pack my cooler now and head to the beach! See you there!
Susan