Chillin' on a hot day

Now that the temperature has finally begun to climb, you may actually want to bring out the cooler that’s been sitting in the basement all summer - or treat yourself to a new one. Either way, you should probably get thee to a sunny beach, backyard or park while the getting's good. If you do take some nibbles and bevvies along, Rubbermaid has some tips for packing them safely and efficiently. Here they are:

• Use reusable gel ice packs that can be wrapped around food

• Pre-chill all items — the cooler will work more effectively than if they are  at room temperature

• Wash fruits and vegetables and pack in air-tight bags or plastic containers to prevent cross contamination

• Line cans and beverages in a ring around the outer edges of the cooler

• Fill a layer of ice in the center of the ring created by cans

• Place bagged items on top of the ice and repeat layering process

After the picnic:

• Wash the interior of the cooler with warm, soapy water

• Sanitize it by mixing equal parts of water and white vinegar and spraying it inside the cooler

• Once washed and sanitized, leave the lid on the cooler open to air dry