Preventing Escherichia Coli, How to survive! Or at least stand a good chance..

Preventing the potentially deadly E. Coli disease is not as difficult as one may think.  Just like many other diseases, it can be prevented with good hygiene, proper cooking knowledge, and caution of certain types of meats. Today we will be talking specifically about what steps to take while cooking food to prevent the contamination of E. Coli.
The first thing you will want to make sure you do is wash your hands! Escherichia Coli can live on surfaces for weeks, and the last think you want to do is cross-contaminate food by touching other foods after dealing with meat!
(image from  http://www.ehow.com/how_5259215_cook-meal-minutes-chicken-rice.html)

Be sure to rinse the meat off throughly, however this will not get rid of all the bacteria. To do this, you must heat the meat up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, to make sure all bacteria has been killed.  Make sure the meat is cooked thoroughly before eating.  Be especially careful with ground meat, as you are more succeptile to get E. Coli from it.
Clean all dishes used to cook the meat with soap and hot water to kill of any remaining bacteria.  By following these steps you will drastically cut back chances of not only getting E. Coli, but any disease that could be contracted from eating raw meats.

Although these will cut back your chances of contracting the disease, there are also other ways that E. Coli may get into your body besides just meat. To counter this, you should:

• Not drink any milk, apple juice, apple cider, or other fluids that are unpasteurized or untreated. 
• Do not allow children to share bath water with those who have symptoms of diarrhea or stomach flu
• Wear disposable gloves while changing the diapers of babies who have diarrhea 

These are just a few tips and steps that can help save your life, and the lives or your loved ones from this disease.  Put these tips to practice, and stay healthy for life!

Reference:
1. "Preventing E. Coli Infection | E. Coli Food Poisoning." E. Coli Food Poisoning | E. Coli Food Poisoning. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. http://www.about-ecoli.com/ecoli_prevention.