How to Ensure Your Holiday Dinner Guests Leave Smiling Not Sick

Every host wants guests to leave the table with a full stomach, not a stomach bug. Unfortunately, 76 million cases of food-borne diseases occur in the United States each year, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 325,000 of those cases result in a trip to the emergency room. This time of year, with heaps of food and extra guests, it’s all too easy to contaminate meals with food-borne bugs or a nasty flu virus.

Luckily, there are a few simple safe-cooking precautions that will keep your friends and family safe and healthy this holiday season. Barbara Kowalcyk, director of food safety at The Center for Foodborne Illness Research & Prevention in Grove City, Pa., shares her tips to help prevent both food poisoning and germ-sharing.

At the Store

Keep raw meats and poultry separate from packaged foods in your cart. The outside of meat packages can be contaminated with bacteria, and touching them means you can easily spread germs and bacteria to other products. “Don’t be afraid to use a plastic bag from the produce department as a glove when handling meats,” says Kowalcyk. “A little precaution now can save you from a big mess later.”

At Home

Proper preparation is the key to safe cooking. Before cooking any meals, clean your hands and all work surfaces. Designate different cutting boards for different types of foods to help prevent cross-contamination. It’s also important to pay attention to what you’re doing. “Don’t go from cutting a chicken to making a salad. Wash your hands,” says Kowalcyk.

Knowing which foods to wash also prevents illness. Always wash the tops of cans and all fruits and vegetables. “People are often surprised to learn that something like a salad can make them sick,” says Kowalcyk. She recommends skipping prepackaged bagged leaves and buying the whole head instead. Remove the outside leaves as well as any with tears, which are the most likely to be contaminated.

Don’t put meat and poultry in the sink. “It doesn’t need to be washed,” says Kowalcyk. Washing raises the risk of contaminating other surfaces in your kitchen. It only takes between three and 10 microbes to start an infection (more than a million can fit on the head of a pin). Just a few drops of dirty water can really wreck havoc on your kitchen. Washing the food won’t kill bacteria, but cooking your food to the proper temperature will.

If You’re Sick

If you’re fighting the flu or a cold, you should stay out of the kitchen altogether. Give instructions to another family member or consider wearing a mask as you prepare the food. If nothing else, wash your hands more often — especially after you cough or sneeze.

In the Oven

Testing meat for color, touch or until juices run clear is not a good way to tell if food is done. “Testing the internal temperature is the only way to know if it’s cooked to a safe temperature,” says Kowalcyk. She recommends you ditch the dial thermometers and pop-up buttons included with some prepackaged turkeys since both may not be calibrated properly. Instead, use a digital thermometer to test meat at its thickest point and poultry at the joint between the thigh and leg.

The United States Department of Agriculture recommends cooking foods to the following minimum temperatures to ensure safe consumption:

• Beef, Pork, Veal & Lamb (steak, chops, roasts): 145 F (62.8 C) and allow to rest for at least 3 minutes
• Ground meats: 160 F (71.1 C)
• Ham, fresh or smoked (uncooked): 145 F (62.8 C) and allow to rest for at least 3 minutes
• Fully Cooked Ham (to reheat): Reheat cooked hams packaged in USDA-inspected plants to 140 F (60 C) and all others to 165 F (73.9 C)
• All Poultry (breasts, whole bird, legs, thighs, and wings, ground poultry, and stuffing): 165 F (73.9 C)
• Eggs: 160 F (71.1 C)
• Fish & Shellfish: 145 F (62.8 C)
• Leftovers: 165 F (73.9 C)
• Casseroles: 165 F (73.9 C)

At the Table

Don’t let food sit out for more than two hours. This includes the time it may be on the counter or table before you serve it. Keep hot foods hot in the oven and cold foods cold in the refrigerator. “Don’t let your foods get to room temperature,” says Kowalcyk. “That’s where bacteria likes to grow. And the longer it sits out, the more you increase your risk of getting sick.”

After the Meal

Transfer warm leftovers to shallow dishes so they’ll cool down evenly and quickly in the fridge. Also keep in mind that the temperature increases in an overstuffed fridge, so you may need to adjust yours for a few days after a big meal to make sure it stays at a safe 40 F.

The Next Day

Everyone loves leftovers, but not everyone should reach for the cold turkey. Those vulnerable to illness — young children, pregnant women and people with chronic conditions — should reheat leftovers to 165 F before eating them. “Most people will be OK, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry,” says Kowalcyk.

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Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on Pediatric Safety in November of 2010. The chart has been updated to include the most current information available on the minimum safe internal temperatures for food. If you’re preparing dinner for guests, print a copy and keep it handy. Wishing all of our readers a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Beyond Basics: Trick or Treat Tips from our EMS Safety Expert

Break out the costumes and face paint because it’s almost that time of year again, Halloween. While Halloween may be the superbowl Sunday for candy hungry little monsters and superhero’s, it can be a time of worry and anxiety for parents. Aside from having to find the right costume and gear for the kids, the preparation for the activities is of the utmost importance. The following is just a small list of things to consider before Halloween to help everyone have fun and ease some worry.

Plan to go with your child or children. This may seem like a ”no brainer“ but it would surprise you how many people just send children out with a group.

If you are going to go in a group, try to make it a small but manageable group. Groups with large amounts of children can get confusing and problematic, so try to keep the group ratio at 3 to 4 children per adult if possible.

Having the children carry AND wear something lit such as a flashlight, glow bracelet or necklace, or flashing attire for visibility. Light-up shoes are also practical and ever-so-noticeable on a dark Halloween night. Remember, you want them to be seen by cars driving by and you. This goes for parents as well. Parents should be the guides to both kids and cars passing by and that is best accomplished by being easily seen.

Adults should try and plan a route in advance and check it during the daylight for such obstacles as broken sidewalks (or no sidewalks), construction or other obstacles that could trip up trick or treaters. Trick or treating in familiar neighborhoods or areas will make everyone more comfortable and in the event something does happen, it is always best to be in familiar surroundings.

Try to have the children wear well fitting, comfortable shoes, preferably sneakers. While adorable in the store as a costume accessory, kids planning to go trick or treat should wear sturdy shoes and not the princess high-heel, too-large boots, or other types of shoes often shown with costumes. Save those types of shoes for costume parties and not when a child is going to trick or treat. Their feet–and most likely you who may end up carrying either the shoes or the child and you – will both be thankful. Also avoiding costumes that drag on the ground can help as well. While cute initially, costumes that drag can trip up little feet, get caught on bushes, and create a tussle that sometimes results in the child wanting to remove the costume. Remember, kids who trick or treat want to be costumed AND comfortable.

The parent should always go with the child to the door to see what is being handed out (and who is doing the handing out). If what is being handed out looks old, suspicious, or just plain wrong, then move on to the next house or Immediately remove it from your child’s stash and get rid of it or keep it for reporting if necessary. But the most important part is that the child will not have it.

Allergies are on this list too. If your child has food allergies, then it is critical that you inspect everything they have received and do your best to weed out possible problems before your child ingests anything. Bringing along a child EPI-PEN can really do wonders here to give you a little more piece of mind.

Now the staples of Halloween safety will always apply to this list.

• Only approach well lit houses,
• Inspect ALL candy and items in your child’s bounty BEFORE they have a chance to eat it, separate it with friends or hide it somewhere.
• Try and go at dusk before it becomes too dark and much harder to see children and
• Try to walk and not run and
• Always have a cell phone handy in case of emergency.

The list of tips for safety on Halloween can go on forever and when it comes to your children, you can never be too safe, but by using some pre planning and basic safety techniques, you and your monsters, superhero’s and princesses will have a great and safe Halloween.

Halloween, Kids and Pets …Ensure a Fun Holiday For All

Most of us have nothing but fond memories of this holiday; dressing up in costumes, going door to door with friends and siblings, holding out our huge bags and watching with excitement as our neighbors dropped in handfuls of candy, then going home and dumping the bags out on the floor to gaze at the awesome pile of loot we got! I don’t know about any of you, but in my household, there was no such thing as cutting two holes in a sheet and throwing it over your head and going as a ghost. My mom was (and probably still is) the most creative woman I have ever known. She made the most elaborate Halloween costumes I had ever seen! I think my personal favorite was when my sister went as The Fiddler on the Roof.

But it was a different time when we grew up in the 70’s. A much safer time…. A time when every piece of candy didn’t need to be examined with a fine tooth comb for glass or needles or pin pricks. A time when parents didn’t worry about a car driving by, and never seeing their child again, or that every stranger who walked down the block was a possible pedophile. But sadly, these things are our reality nowadays. The key is to be vigilant and aware to keep your child safe.

But I think there is an added element that sometimes parents do not think to worry about, but should be aware of. Years ago, I do not believe that our household pets were considered as much a part of the family as they are today. And while I happen to love that mentally and understand how easy is it for people to want to include their pets in Halloween as well, (after all, we consider it so much fun! Surely they would enjoy it too!!!) – on another level, I see all of the potential dangers that can come from including the dog in all of this, and I wanted to raise other people’s awareness.

Things that seem harmless to most people but can be dangerous:

• Dressing up your dog in costumes. While it may seem adorable and funny to you, more often than not, they do not find it half as amusing as you do. Most of them already have a full fur coat, and can easily get overheated. Many small dogs are used to having a coat on during the winter, but that does not mean they like having masks and hoods over their heads. It is important to remember that dogs rely on their senses for everything, and if you are putting on a mask or hood that goes over their ears or falls over their eyes, you are putting them at a serious disadvantage right off the bat from distinguishing ‘friend or foe’. For this reason, in a heightened and confused state, a bite can happen all too easily.
• Bringing your dog with you when you trick or treat (…with adult supervision). While I understand the temptation for this, I highly advise leaving the pooch where he belongs…. at home. This is not just a regular typical stroll down the street where you may meet up with a few people. People… kids and adults, are going to be in costumes, so your dog may not recognize even your child’s best friend that he sees all of the time. Again, they are relying on their senses, and some houses are done up quite elaborately… door mats that scream when you step on them, lights that may be flashing or flickering…. All things that are set up to spook and scare you because we humans are a strange breed that enjoy that kind of thing…. but think of how it may scare the heck out of a two year old that cannot understand or rationalize it, and you may now understand your dog’s reaction. This is a supposed to be a special fun time to spend with your kids…. do you really want all of your attention to be focused on ‘controlling’ the dog?
• Sending the dog out with the kids while they trick or treat (…without adult supervision) My customer and her 11 year old daughter both thought it would be awesome if the girl dressed up as Annie and brought their Golden Retriever as Sandy with her. Mom was worried about her daughter trick -or- treating alone, and thought it was great that the dog would be there to protect her, (no one would bother her daughter with a huge dog by her side) and the daughter thought it would be an awesome way to complete her outfit and fun to include the dog. It took some work to convince both Mother and Daughter that this was not a great idea. While the daughter was usually pretty good at handling the dog on the leash, and the dog did heel well with her, if the dog spooked and went to take off, both of them could get hurt. But in the end, the final decision was made by the dog…. Who reiterated everything I told them about the dog acting differently with people in costumes that they don’t understand…. The daughter put on her wig, and the dog ‘wigged out’ (yes… pun intended!) The dog barked at her for 20 minutes straight- until she took off the wig. And it still took the dog awhile to settle down. Many adults would have trouble reigning in or managing a dog’s fearful over-reaction…. I can’t imagine a child being able to.
• Allowing the dog to join you when you open the door to Trick or treaters. When a customer complains to me that their dog barks at everything that passes by outside, I tell them that rather than just yelling at the dog and telling it “NO!”, to understand that it is the dog’s ‘job’ to alert them. So instead of yelling at them for their natural instinct, I will typically allow the dog to bark for about 10-15 seconds, and then tell them, “That is enough… go lie down.” This allows them to do their job, but then they start to understand limits and boundaries. But the fact of the matter is, on this night, the doorbell is ringing constantly, with strangers there, many with no faces (with masks on) and they just don’t understand that there is no threat there. After all…. Think about it, on any other night, if someone rang your door-bell and you opened the door and they were wearing a mask, would you be thrilled to see them? Of course not! You would slam the door closed and call 9-1-1! So how can you possibly explain to your dog that this night is different? The answer is, you can’t. So they either have to be kept in a different room with plenty of chew toys, or someone should stay with them and keep them occupied, or put them in their crate with a cover over it. The last thing you want is your dog getting frightened or charging at the door or worse, biting a strange child who’s hand slips out from their costume to get the treats you have for them.
• Dumping all the candy onto the floor. For many people like me who have worked with dogs for many years, part of my business is also knowing what is healthy for them and what is not…. So if you do not know this, let me be the first to strongly advise you of these three things:
  • Chocolate. Chocolate is poisonous to your beloved pet, and should not be left out around them. So it is very important that candy received from trick or treating not be just dumped onto the floor. It can really harm your pet if they get a hold of it. Instead, may I suggest getting each child their own bin or clear see-through bucket to dump their candy into? This way, they can still see all they got, allowing them to have a good view to pick out the few pieces they want each day, and the animals are kept away from any ill-gotten-goods that can really harm them. Please read more on the dangers of chocolate toxicity here…. http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/nutritiondogs/a/chocolatetoxici.htm
  • Sugar-free candies and gum: Sugar-free candies and sugar free gum both contain something in them called xylitol. This is an artificial sweetener that is added to many sugar-free items we humans enjoy, and have few, it any side-effects for us unless consumed in large quantities… in which case the most common side effect is diarrhea. However, for our canine and feline family members, it can often be toxic, and even fatal. Please read more on this here…. http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/toxicology/qt/xylitol_tox.htm
  • Candy wrappers, gum wrappers, lollipop sticks and ribbons. These are all potential choking hazards, but can cause much more serious problems if they get caught up or wrapped up in the intestines.
• Allowing your black cat or dog outside. This may seem like a silly thing, but lets face it…. a black cat is almost akin to being a mascot for this holiday. If you have a black cat that is allowed out to wander, you’ll want to keep them inside on this night. And black dogs the past few years have become targets as well. Keep them safe from pranks and theft by keeping them inside.

So I guess if I was to re-cap all of this, I would say to keep the animals inside where they belong. This reduces their anxiety, the risk of unnecessary bites, and keeps everyone involved happy and safe… the way the holiday should be!! Have a happy and safe Halloween everyone!

Food Allergies Ruining Your Holiday Plans? Fork It!

The holidays are upon us- creeping up around the corner and taunting us, reminding us that food shall be everywhere soon. If your kids have food allergies, do you hide? Do you stay home and make your own safe feast? Or, do you accept someone else’s invitation and imagine that it could be just that simple. Before you gasp and start to list the reasons of why you should not do this, let’s go over the reasons of why you should.

Spreading knowledge I know most of us are up to our eyeballs with how many times we have tried to educate others on living with food allergies. I still stand by my word- knowledge is power. The more that you help others learn about the foods that you can have and the recipes that they can also make easily and safely, the more they will feel empowered to do so. What you do need to remember is that this requires a lot of patience and courage on your part to make sure that all of the safety details are passed on as well.

Bonding time What better way to have an excuse to spend extra time with friends and family than to grab a bunch of food?! Because having food allergies often means extra preparation for those who don’t normally handle food allergies, this is the perfect way to finally catch up and make some edible items. By doing so in a social situation rather than the actual day of a holiday, there is less tension in the air, less worry of serving a meal on time and more chance that the food allergy-free lesson will be remembered.

Eating Because, let’s face it, we all love to eat. Nobody can tell me that the smell of good cooking and great conversation leading to a full belly is a bad thing (as long as it’s done safely). Rather than thinking of all of the reasons not to eat, think of all of the reasons that we should eat. Don’t fear the food- be cautious, be prepared but don’t feel that your life should be limited by a diet that is different. Even with food allergies, you have the ability to indulge.

Learn to enjoy the holidays again Even if you are not at ease with having someone else cooking for you; remember that the holidays are meant to be a time full of joy. Obviously, how you decide to do this is up to you but looking back, do you most remember the bad things or do you cherish the good things? Use your favorite recipes and cook. Plan your menus ahead of time to make it easier on yourself. Start new memories of your own and see how others also begin using your recipes in the coming years.

Recreate a food that you always wanted to try but didn’t. Who says that stuffing has to be made from bread? Why does pie have to have milk when there are so many dairy free options to try? Research recipes and products that you can use, add and tweak ingredients and just go for it. The best part if tasting- for you, for your family and you get to lick the spoon.

Celebrate yourself too because you deserve a pat on the back for everything that you do on a daily basis. It’s ok to acknowledge that your life is different from people who do not have food allergies. It’s ok to tell everyone how you had a horrible recipe experience and the food was just awful. This happens to everyone, every day and it’s not just with food allergies- it’s with every single person that cooks anything. Being honest about what you accomplish is a great way to boost your own morale. It’s also another way to encourage others to try some of the foods that can be offered to you at a future gathering.

Enjoy the holidays, eat well and be happy with all that you have been given over the past year. When you invite positive thoughts, more are sure to follow. Don’t put the fork down- pick it up.

Need a new holiday recipe? I am sharing one of my favorite recipes with all of you-

Mahogany Rice & Quinoa Stuffing

• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Minced Onion
• 4-5 Apple Chicken Sausage (cut into pieces)
• Baking Spray
• 1 1/2 Cups cooked Lundberg Family Farms Black Japonica Rice
• (cooked in organic chicken broth)
• 1 1/2 Cups Cooked Quinoa
• 1 1/2 Teaspoons Rosemary
• 1/2 – 1 Cup Already Roasted Brussels sprouts*
• Sea Salt to Taste

*To roast Brussels Sprouts, heat the oven to 400°, chop clean Brussels Sprouts in half and toss with oil, garlic and sea salt. Stir to prevent burning on one side.

1. Using a medium frying pan, heat the oil using medium heat. Add the onion and sauté. Add the sausage and stir until sausage is browned. Set aside.
2. Lightly oil a large casserole dish with baking spray. Combine the cooked rice, quinoa and rosemary.
3. Using a mini chopper, chop the Brussels sprouts until it is in small pieces. Mix into the casserole dish. Next, add the chicken sausage either as bite sized pieces or ground in the mini chopper. Add sea salt to taste. Use this to stuff the turkey or bake at 350° and serve as a side dish.

Makes approximately 6 servings

Sensitive Santa for Special Kids: Coming to a Town Near You…

Back in 2010 when I first wrote about the Sensitive Santa visiting time at some malls in Southern California, it was a very new idea. I am so happy to report that now these experiences are becoming widely available around the world. Along with Sensory Friendly Films by AMC as well as concerts and plays, individuals with autism can now begin to expand their social experiences in a comfortable setting.

Gentle or Sensitive screenings and performances usually have lower sound levels because many people (of all ages) are bothered by loud music or voices. Lighting – or lack of lighting – can also be a challenge for sensory challenged folks, so those levels are also adjusted. Limiting the tickets offered also controls the crowds, which can be overwhelming for folks with special needs and their caregivers.

Sensitive Santa programs allow special needs children of all ages a calm and relaxed way to visit with Santa.

As I write this a Google search has yielded 108 MILLION results for “sensitive santa” from places like Toronto, Arizona, Georgia, Minnesota – and those are all just on the first page! If you are looking for one in your area, many of these events are offered through local autism groups.

The meeting of Pope Francis with families affected by autism opened up the discussion about religious practices and studies and special needs kids. In some parts of the world people who are different are treated with scorn and hidden in shame, but more modern societies are finding ways to welcome all abilities into the fold.

Whether it is visiting Santa, lighting the Menorah or gathering together to watch a holiday special or read a special book, these traditions help build relationships and create special memories for everyone involved. Wishing you and your family a happy holiday!

Photo credit: LyraWhite; CC license

Top 10 Fireworks Safety Tips – Straight from the Experts

It’s that time of year again: time to get together with friends, host backyard barbecues, cook up some hotdogs and hamburgers, sip a cool beverage and end the day gathered around watching fireworks. Sounds perfect, right? Unfortunately, according to the National Fire Protection Association in 2018 alone, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 9,100 people for fireworks related injuries and more than one-third of the injured (36%) were less than 15 years old.*

How and Why Do These Injuries Occur?

• Fireworks type: Among the various types of fireworks, some of which are sold legally in some states, bottle rockets can fly into peoples’ faces and cause eye injuries; sparklers can ignite clothing; and firecrackers can injure the hands or face if they explode at close range.
• Being too close: Injuries may result from being too close to fireworks when they explode; for example, when someone leans over to look more closely at a firework that has been ignited, or when a misguided bottle rocket hits a nearby person.
• Lack of physical coordination: Younger children often lack the physical coordination to handle fireworks safely – even sparklers! Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. But facts are that sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals and enough to cause a serious burn
• Curiosity: Children are often excited and curious around fireworks, which can increase their chances of being injured (for example, when they re-examine a firecracker dud that initially fails to ignite).
• Experimentation: Homemade fireworks (for example, ones made of the powder from several firecrackers) can lead to dangerous and unpredictable explosions.

Now don’t get me wrong – I’m not here to talk doom and gloom when it comes to 4th of July fireworks. It really can be the perfect ending to an already perfect day…providing we’re careful and follow these key fireworks safety rules:

Top 10 Fireworks Safety Tips:

1. Use fireworks outdoors only. Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers. Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
2. Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks including sparklers. Only persons over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type.
3. Avoid buying fireworks packaged in brown paper. This is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
4. Be careful when lighting the fuse. Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Light fireworks one at a time, then quickly back up to a safe distance
5. Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
6. Only use fireworks as intended. Don’t try to alter them or combine them. They can kill you!
7. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap. After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
8. Use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter and the shooter should wear safety glasses.
9. Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated shooter.”
10. Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.

Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy, fun and safe 4th of July

References

• ”Fireworks Safety” – National Fire Protection Association
• “Fireworks Safety” – US Consumer Product Safety Commission
• “Safety Tips” – The National Council on Fireworks Safety
• *Data referenced updated 6/30/24

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