As temperatures rise, take these 8 key steps to avoid foodborne illness this summer [Video]

The weather is warmer, the days are longer — and a lot of people spend more time eating outdoors with family and friends. 

But in warmer weather, rates of foodborne illnesses rise. 

To that point, each year in the U.S., some 48 million people get sick, 128,000 people are hospitalized and 3,000 people die from foodborne illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

HAMBURGER VS. HOT DOG: WHICH IS HEALTHIER FOR YOU? EXPERTS CHIME IN

“Remember, foodborne illness does not take a summer vacation,” Jesus Garcia, spokesperson for the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, told Fox News Digital. 

As you enjoy backyard BBQs, family cookouts and picnics in the park, there are some precautions to take to ensure you’re protected against foodborne illness.