By adhering to a few safety recommendations, the entire family—even the youngest members—can participate in the lengthy meal preparation for Thanksgiving.
For families with small children, the biggest paediatricians group in the country has some Christmas advise.
This time of year, meal preparation is filled with joy and excitement, but it may also be stressful, according to Dr. Dina DiMaggio, an American Academy of Pediatrics fellow.
When the kitchen is at capacity, consider assigning an adult to supervise the youngest children and how to incorporate children in the process. Families can ensure the day runs successfully for everyone by making plans in advance, she stated in a news release from the academy.
Following are some useful advice:
- DiMaggio advises parents to begin by teaching their children safe tool handling techniques for the kitchen. With certain child-safe blades, you can accomplish this.
- Show kids how to securely turn on and off appliances as well as how oven mitts may protect hands from heat. Tell them how important it is to keep flammable items far away from open flames.
- However, you should always watch over kids while they cook to make sure they are adhering to the rules.
- Observe recommended practises for food safety, such as properly cooking food and washing raw produce. Make sure the children wash their hands completely after touching uncooked food. Wash your hands frequently to set an example for others.
- Before giving your tiny assistant a taste of something, make sure it doesn’t contain raw eggs or other components that need to be cooked. Before using it again with food, wash the spoon.
- The AAP advises keeping raw foods apart from cooked items in the refrigerator to minimise the spread of bacteria. Never defrost meat on the counter; always do it in the refrigerator.
- Place hot food and liquids away from the edges of counters and tables to prevent burns for everyone. Make sure that microwaves are out of reach for young children. Turn pot handles towards the direction of the stove’s rear or side.
- Before carrying a hot beverage, locate your youngster to make sure you don’t trip and hurt yourself and them both. The AAP advises against drinking hot liquids while your youngster is on your lap.
- No more than two hours should pass at room temperature for foods that need to be refrigerated.
- After the dinner, clean up right away to prevent an incident where a child can stumble onto a choking hazard or come into contact with alcohol or smoke.
Information about
Other safety advice for Thanksgiving can be found at foodsafety.gov.
SOURCE: A press release from the American Academy of Pediatrics
