NEW YORK (WLNY) – Food-related illnesses are no joke — they can leave you out of commission, or even worse, in the hospital.

Most cases are preventable if you know what to look for.

Brian Buckley, Institute of Culinary Education chef and instructor, to provide us with safety tips we should all know.

His number one tip is simple: Wash your hands. This, he said, will prevent about 90 percent of food-related issues.

How long does meat, fish and chicken stay fresh?

Well, it’s tricky. Expiration dates aren’t a real thing — they are a guideline — but he suggests not eating leftovers after 3-4 days. The key is to look at your food, smell your food and examine it to decide if it’s safe to eat.

For more tips, check out the full segment.