As you prepare your feast, please keep these tips in
mind:
- Handle food
carefully. Food poisoning usually happens because of poor food handling
practices. Symptoms can include fever, headache, diarrhea, abdominal
discomfort and vomiting. The guilty party in all food poisonings is
bacteria, which enters our bodies through contaminated food. Wash hands,
dishes, utensils, kitchen equipment and work surfaces before and after
handling. Be particularly careful around knives, washing them thoroughly
after each use. And remember, even frozen food can contain bacteria.
- Cook food
carefully. Salmonella is a common cause of food poisoning and while it’s
normally not fatal, it is widespread. It is typically found in raw meats,
poultry, eggs, milk, fish and their bi-products. Salmonella can only be
destroyed by cooking food thoroughly and with temperatures above 140
degrees.
- It’s okay to
thaw turkey in its original plastic for one to two days. After that, move
the turkey to plastic wrap or foil. Don’t keep it in its original wrapping
for more than two days.
- Thaw turkey or
poultry inside the fridge, rather than elsewhere in your kitchen.
- Don’t stuff the
turkey in advance and then refrigerate it. The core of the turkey is a
perfect place for bacteria to grow. Remove all stuffing before
refrigerating leftover meats. Keep the stuffing, gravy or broth in a
separate container.
- Be careful
around the booze. Adults, obviously, should always drink responsibly, but
in large gatherings, it’s important to be mindful of small children –
particularly those who aren’t afraid to pick up discarded cups left behind
by adults. Even a small amount of alcohol can poison a child.
- Also be wary of
choking hazards. Peanuts, raisins, hard candies, cocktail sausages and other
hors d’oeuvres are tasty additions to any holiday meal, but they can be
choking hazards for the littlest partiers. And many pediatricians advise
that children under the age of one year avoid nuts, because of the risk of
allergies. Keep these foods out of the reach of very young children to
prevent a choking incident.
If you follow these tips, you will surely be on your way
to having a wonderful holiday. If you have any concerns or questions regarding
poisonings, please do not hesitate to contact us! Commit this number to memory
or simply save it in your phone contacts: 1-800-222-1222.
We are here when you need us, 24/7.
