August is a perfect time to get outside and enjoy nature. Hiking, camping, and boating are great activities to share with friends and family — and often involve having picnics, cooking around a campfire, or packing light meals. Make the most of your outdoor dining experiences by practicing these important food safety tips:

• Choose the right foods. If you’ll be backpacking or otherwise going long distances without storage options, select lightweight, stable items such as peanut butter, juice boxes, canned meats, granola, powdered milk, or dried nuts and fruits.

• Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. To avoid food poisoning, hot foods should be cooked to the proper temperature and eaten promptly. Use ice packs or frozen juice boxes to ensure cold foods stay cold.

• Don’t cross contaminate. Bacteria from raw meat and poultry can be easily transmitted to other foods. Double-wrap meats or put them in sealed bags or containers to prevent juices from spreading. Wash your hands before and after handling food, and use different dishes and utensils for raw meat vs. other foods.

• Choose water wisely. Even if it looks clean, water from a lake, river, or stream can make you very sick. Bring bottled water, use tested tap water, or purify fresh water.