Nearly three out of four Americans shop at warehouse club stores. Most of us could use some help when it comes to navigating the "do's and don'ts" of buying in bulk.

Before you head for the club, stock up on these helpful home food safety tips:

• Safe Can Command: Rinsing off soda cans, milk bottles, jars, canned foods and even can openers can help eliminate harmful bacteria, which can be ingested. Store canned or jarred goods in cool, dry settings. Also, avoid using cans and jars with dents, cracks or bulging lids.
• A-Peeling Exam: Be sure to wash fruits with peels, including oranges, bananas and lemons. Fruit peels might carry bacteria that can spread during eating, cutting or peeling.
• Clean Hand Code: Bring along pocket-sized packets of moist towelettes or carry a bottle of hand sanitizer to wash up before trying food samples while shopping.
• Cold Storage Standard: The expiration date or "use by" date is the date by which food should be used or frozen to ensure quality and consistency -- and it should be followed. Keep in mind that quality may be affected if foods are frozen for too long.

For more "Club House Rules," visit www.homefoodsafety.org.