Summer is the season for picnics, backyard barbecues, familyreunions and graduation parties, as friends and family membersgather outdoors to celebrate a milestone, or perhaps simply enjoythe beautiful summer weather.

When enjoying the sunshine with loved ones, getting sick may bethe last thing on your mind. But as most of these get-togethersinvolve dining al fresco, the warmer weather also makes it easy forbacteria to grow, potentially causing food poisoning. Year-round,most food poisoning cases are caused by salmonella, E. coli,campylobacter and listeria, but all of these bacteria grow morequickly in warmer temperatures. With outdoor buffets or picnics,often sans refrigeration, the risk of illness is much morelikely.

Some homeowners insurance policies cover food poisoning insituations where guests incur medical expenses or endure “pain andsuffering” by missing work. However, there are limits to both ofthese coverages. This summer, agents can help keep their clientsinformed about the nature of their policy, as well as providetactics for protecting party guests from foodborne illness.