11-15-2022 12:52pm

Cooking With Kids, AAP: 10 Recommendations on Keeping Holiday Kitchen Prep Safe

Anita Johnson-Brown Editor

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other fall celebrations are approaching, as loved ones, partners, friends, and relatives plan to make traditional home-cooked feasts. Keep in mind, food safety is important.

Dina DiMaggio, MD, FAAP says "Consider how to involve kids in the process and think about assigning an adult to keep track of the youngest when the kitchen is at full capacity. By planning in advance, families can help ensure the day goes smoothly for all."

Here are 10 tips from The American Academy of Pediatrics offers to help your family safely serve a delicious holiday feast.

Teach children the importance of staying safe while cooking by showing them how to hold kitchen tools safely, use children's safe knives when helping prepare foods, how to use oven mitts to protect hands from heat, keep flammable objects away from open flames, and how to turn appliances on and off safely. Always supervise children when cooking to ensure they are sticking with safe and age-appropriate tasks.
Cook and wash food thoroughly. When preparing food for a holiday celebration, follow food safety guidelines. Bacteria are often present in raw foods. Fully cook meats and poultry, and thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruits. Ensure they wash their hands thoroughly too after touching raw foods.
While you're teaching your children family recipes, also teach them about good food safety. Wash your hands frequently, 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. Also, make sure that the taste doesn't include raw eggs or other ingredients that should be cooked before being eaten.
Separate raw foods. During preparations for a party, the refrigerator and freezer can become crowded with sweets, roasts, and other goodies, but don't let these become breeding grounds for bacteria. Always keep raw foods and cooked foods separate and use separate utensils when preparing them.
Always thaw meat in the refrigerator, never on the countertop.
Prevent burns. Keep hot food and liquids away from the edges of counters and tables, where they can be easily knocked over by a young child's exploring hands. Be sure that young children cannot access microwave ovens. Turn the pot handles toward the side or back of the stove.
Whenever you have to walk with hot liquid—a cup of coffee, a pot of soup—be sure you know where your child is so you don't trip over him or her. Also, be careful not to be drinking hot liquids while having a young child on your lap to avoid any burns.
Put away or toss? Foods that require refrigeration should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours.
Clean-up quickly. After a holiday meal, clean up immediately. A toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in contact with alcohol or tobacco.

This article was shared by The AAP and updated by Anita Johnson-Brown, Editor