(BPT) - Al fresco dining is one of the great pleasures of warm weather. Whether you're hosting a neighborhood barbecue or an intimate dinner party on your deck, outdoor dining is a great way to savor good food, company and the great outdoors. To ensure your meals are safe and enjoyable, it's important to know how to prepare, transport and store food for outdoor eating.

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) offers some advice for safely handling food when you're dining outdoors this summer:

Purchasing

Warm weather brings a bounty of fresh produce, and a trip to the local farmers market can make a nice addition to your outdoor meal. Food safety starts in the field. It's important to get to know the growers selling produce at your local farm stand, and ask about their farming practices. How do they keep their products free from bacterial pathogens and other contaminants? Farmers may also have great tips for storing produce, testing for ripeness and even ways to prepare the fruits and veggies they sell.

Read more: Dining outdoors? Tips for keeping food safe and delicious

 By Kathy Steinemann

Hawaii, the Caribbean, or on the beaches of Australia? Unfortunately, swimming, scuba diving, and snorkeling often precede a condition known as 'swimmer's ear'.

Are you dreaming about a tropical vacation - perhaps in Hawaii, the Caribbean, or on the beaches of Australia? Unfortunately, swimming, scuba diving, and snorkeling often precede a condition known as 'swimmer's ear' (otitis externa).

Very simply put, swimmer's ear results from water that gets trapped in your ears. Water usually has a near neutral or alkaline PH level. Since your ears require a slightly acidic balance, the introduction of water can change that. Trapped water encourages the growth of bacteria, molds, and fungi. Any variation from the normal acid balance may cause swimmer's ear in susceptible individuals.

Read more: Tropical Beaches - Relaxing Sunny Days - and Swimmer's Ear

 By Kathy Steinemann

With increasing depletion of the ozone layer, skin protection is more important than ever. The sun is a known trigger for liver spots, wrinkles, freckles, and deadly skin cancer. You absolutely must use appropriate sunscreen.

With increasing depletion of the ozone layer, skin protection is more important than ever. The sun is a known trigger for liver spots, wrinkles, freckles, and deadly skin cancer. You absolutely must use appropriate sunscreen.

Sunscreen is known by many names: suntan lotion, sun block, sun cream, tanning oil, etc. However, all products, by whatever name, are meant to provide some degree of protection from the sun's rays.

Read more: Sunbathing? Skiing? On a Cruise? You MUST Remember This!