Holiday Food Safety
/Cut up finger foods into small, bite sized pieces (1/4-inch is best) that are soft enough to be easily chewed and swallowed. This includes all meat, fruits and vegetables and snack foods.
Avoid hard foods, such as nuts and hard candy, and anything slippery or sticky that become lodge in the throat.
NEVER leave a child unattended while eating, even for a second.
While you’re teaching your children family recipes, also teach them about food safety, washing hands often, and make sure children do the same.
If you offer your helper a taste, be sure to wash the spoon before putting it back into the food.
Make sure that taste doesn’t include raw eggs or other ingredients that should be cooked before eating.
Always thaw meat in the refrigerator, never on the countertop.
Foods that require refrigeration should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours.
After a holiday party, clean up immediately. A toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in contact with alcohol or tobacco.
