Food safety tips for the Big Game

By Susan West

Uncle Mike’s Super Bowl party was legendary. People raved about the wings, the nachos, the game, everything… until the next day. Unfortunately for Mike and his guests, foodborne pathogens had crashed the party. He could have saved everyone a lot of gut misery if he’d just taken a few precautions. Here are a few easy ways to avoid the same fate.

Before the big day: Avoiding cross-contamination starts in your shopping cart. Keep raw meats apart from produce, and grab a food thermometer while you’re in the store. When you get home, stash everything in its own area, and get to cleaning. (Don’t forget the bathroom. Make sure it has soap, wipes, and paper towels.)

CDC graphic: Rules of the Game for Food Safety – Keep it Clean. Before you eat or handle food, wash your hands, food prep tools and surfaces.

Food prep time: Start by washing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse your produce, and if you’re handling raw meat or chicken, use a separate knife and cutting board. As you prep your protein, grab the thermometer; it’s your only tool for making sure your wings or meat are cooked. Place the probe in the thickest part of the wing, avoiding the bone. The temp should be 165°F. Check multiple wings, not just one.

Buffet basics: Super Bowl Sunday is notorious for foodborne illnesses, because people tend to leave munchies out for hours. Don’t do that. (That was Uncle Mike’s big mistake!) Keep buffet portions small, and replenish often so bacteria can’t thrive. Two hours is the maximum safe time for leaving food at room temperature. Set a timer to remind yourself. Set out individual utensils and small plates—no double dipping, folks!

CDC graphic: Rules of the Game for Food Safety – Watch the clock. Throw out perishable food that has been sitting at room temperature for more than two hours; one hour if it’s 90 degrees F or warmer.

The numbers: Keep hot foods hot (140°F minimum), and cold foods cold (40°F or colder). Ordering takeout? You’re not off the hook; use the same precautions noted above.

The chafing dish, slow cooker, and warming tray are your friends. For cold foods like salsa or guac, nest serving dishes in bowls of ice. If you plan on serving food for the whole game, hold back half of the food in the fridge or oven. Serve half your food as the game starts, and swap it out at halftime.

CDC graphic: Rules of the Game for Food Safety – Serve at the right temperature. Keep hot foods at 140 degrees F or warmer, and cold foods at 40 degrees F or colder.

After the party: If you accidentally left perishable food at room temp for too long, toss it. (This includes meat, chicken, turkey, seafood, eggs, dairy, cut fruit, cooked rice, and leftovers.) Refrigerate or freeze leftovers immediately—it’s OK to put hot foods directly into the refrigerator! Your leftovers will last three or four days in the fridge, max. Hungry the morning after? Reheat leftovers to at least 165°F. This includes leftovers warmed up in the microwave.

Sadly, Uncle Mike’s party is no longer an annual bash. Make yours an event to remember, for all the right reasons!

Tips for keeping trick-or-treaters safe this Halloween

By Haley Heisley

Red Cross graphic – Be on the lookout for trick-or-treaters!

With Halloween and Fall festivities all month preparing us for the big night, it is easy to get caught up in all of the excitement and sometimes let little safety tips slip your mind! Through experience, research, and observation I have compiled a list of ways for you and your children to stay safe and happy this Halloween night. However, I still haven’t thought of any ideas to keep the monsters and ghosts away!

• Wear “flame-resistant” clothing/costumes (cotton, polyester, nylon).
• Perform “patch tests” with all makeup and fake blood 24-48 hours before getting ready on Halloween Night. By applying a little bit onto a small patch of skin preferably on the arm, you’ll be able to make sure the product is safe and doesn’t cause an allergic reaction.
• Make sure masks and costumes don’t obscure your vision too much! It might seem fine in the bright costume store, but walking around in the dark at night might be a different story.
• The brighter the better! Wearing reflective and bright costumes are a smart alternative since children will be running around at night and crossing streets. You can even just add a strip of reflective tape
• Don’t eat any candy until you get home! I never understood this rule when I was younger and trick-or-treating, but as I grew older I realized why it was always told to me. This should be a rule everyone follows because of a variety of reasons including food allergies, tampered wrappers/pin holes/opened candy, choking hazards, etc.
• Nothing in your eye! A popular item that children and even adults like to try out are colored contact lenses. If you are going as a cat and want green eyes, it is best to hold off. These colored lenses you may find at a drug store or costume store are not FDA approved and are actually illegal. Nothing should ever be put especially into your eye unless it is prescribed from an eye care professional. 

By keeping all of these points in mind this Halloween, we can expect tons of treats and hopefully no tricks! Get more tips on our website.

Heading back to school? Read these tips to stay safe!

By Caroline Carr

“Yellow School Busses” by Petr Kratochvil, published under CC0 Public Domain.

Summer is winding down and we are making plans for the last party of the summer…Labor Day. What comes next? You guessed it! The kids go back to school! While we are getting the fall wardrobe together and wondering who we are going to sit with at lunch, don’t forget some of these tips for safety.

For Students:

• Arriving at the bus stop a little early will give you plenty of time to get there so you don’t have to take chances when crossing streets.
• Make sure to cross where there is a crossing guard so they can help you to cross safely.
• Never accept a ride from a stranger. Don’t even speak to them. If a stranger tries to offer you a ride or talk to you at all, be sure to report it to your parent, a teacher or the police.
• Make sure the bus comes to a complete stop before entering or exiting. Don’t stand up on the bus while it is moving.

For Parents:

• Talk to your children about bus safety.
• Make sure they know what to do if they encounter a stranger.
• Have a plan in place in case your child misses the bus.
• For younger children, it’s a good idea to walk with them to the bus stop and wait until they are safely on their way to school. Then meet them at the bus stop when they leave school.

For the Community:

Look out for pedestrians as we head back to school this fall. It’s time to slow down and make sure we watch for children walking to bus stops and going home. Even though parents and teachers tell them how to be careful on the road, kids often act in the moment and forget to look both ways or be aware of traffic. It’s up to all of us to look out for them.

• Don’t block crosswalks when stopping at stop signs or red lights.
• Follow school bus protocol. Yellow lights mean to slow down as the bus is going to stop soon. Flashing red lights mean the bus is loading or unloading passengers, and you must stop until the lights go out.
• Always yield the right of way to a pedestrian. Don’t blow your horn at them if they are walking slow. Give them a wider berth when passing them on the shoulder.
• Obey the speed limit when driving through a school zone.
• Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination in case there is a school zone or bus stop on your way.

Safety is a community responsibility. All of us must make sure children are safe when going to and from school. It’s easy to get out of practice during the summer. Take the time to familiarize yourself with school zones and bus stops along your regular routes. Make time for safety!

Travel smart and safe this holiday season

By Sanaya SinhaRoy

Red Cross graphic – 3 things to keep in your car this winter: sand, red cloth, flashlight.

As the trees start to look bare and the air starts to feel chilly against your skin, you know that the holiday season is around the corner. Holiday break from office or school is something everyone looks forward to. Two weeks of relaxation often means vacationing to your favorite destination or traveling to see your relatives. But even if it’s one day out of the house or one week out of the house, it is important to stay safe the whole trip to enjoy the holidays to the fullest.

SAFETY WHEN DRIVING

1. It is important to make sure your car is in good condition, especially if you are traveling far distances by road.
2. Be prepared! Check the weather for your destination ahead of time. Pack an emergency kit and let a close friend or family know of your itinerary.
3. Buckle up, slow down and don’t drive impaired.
4. Drive safely and slowly on icy roads. Don’t drive if roads are not yet plowed and sanded.
5. Follow the rules of the road.
6. Give your full attention to the road. Phone should not be a distraction in anyway shape or form!
7. Make frequent stops to stretch your legs and re-energize. If you are with someone, rotate who is driving.
8. If car troubles arise, pull off the road as far away as possible.

HOME SAFETY

1. If you have security systems, make sure they are working properly.
2. Have a friend or neighbor check on home, especially if gone for a while
3. Cancel mail and regular deliveries.
4. Set timers for interior lights.
5. Disconnect computer, tv, stereo and other electronics in case of power surges.
6. Check to lock doors and windows and garage.
7. Don’t leave spare keys outside.

OTHER SAFETY TIPS

1. Even though the COVID-19 spread has calmed down, you are still capable of getting it! Wash hands and sanitize frequently.
2. Pack smart! See what would be best to wear and use at the place you are visiting.
3. If you are traveling by air, check if the airline requires any vaccination, testing or documents.
4. Eat and drink safely.

LINKS

• Red Cross: Highway Safety
• State Farm: Protect your Home While on Vacation
• Safewise: 9 Holiday Travel Safety Tips for Your Next Getaway
• CDC: Travelers’ Health

Red Cross issues steps to keep students safe as they head back to school

By Dave Skutnik

School bells will be calling students back to the classroom soon and the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region has steps everyone can take to help kids remain safe as they head back to school.

As parents get ready for the start of a new school year, it’s a good time to think about emergencies, such as weather-related disasters, and draw up an emergency plan for their household. Know what the emergency plan is at your child’s school and develop a family emergency plan so everyone will know who to contact and where to go if something happens during the school day. Details are available at redcross.org/prepare.

“There are a lot of things to think about for the start of a busy new school year, but don’t forget to include safety,” said Jennifer Graham, Executive Director for the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region. “We ask parents and guardians to consider familiarizing their children with these measures to help keep them safe as they head back to school.”

VectorOpenStock, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

CELL PHONES A DISTRACTION

The National Safety Council (NSC) reports distracted walking can be dangerous, even deadly. Teach your students the following:
• Don’t text or talk on your phone while walking. If you must text, move out of the way of others and stop on the sidewalk.
• Never cross the street while using an electronic device.
• Do not walk with headphones in your ears.
• Drivers can be distracted too. Never use a phone while driving. Help keep children safe by eliminating all distractions

TAKING THE BUS

• Students should get to their bus stop early and stand away from the curb while waiting for the bus to arrive. Young children should be supervised.
• Board the bus only after it has come to a complete stop and the driver or attendant instructs them to get on. They should only board their bus, never an alternate one.
• All students should stay in clear view of the bus driver and never walk behind the bus.

WALKING TO SCHOOL

• Cross the street at the corner, obeying traffic signals and staying in the crosswalk.
• Never run out into the street or cross between parked cars.
• Use a route along which the school has placed crossing guards.
• Parents, walk with young children and those taking new routes or attending new schools, for the first week to ensure they know how to get there safely. Arrange for the kids to walk to school with a friend or classmate.

GOING BY CAR

• Everyone should always wear a seat belt.
• Younger children should use car seats or booster seats until the lap-shoulder belt fits properly (typically for children ages 8-12 and over 4’9”), and ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old.
• If a teenager is going to drive to school, parents should mandate that they use seat belts.

RIDING A BIKE

There may be more young people on bikes as the school bells ring. They should:

• Wear a properly fitted helmet and bright clothing.
• Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, in a single file.
• Come to a complete stop before crossing the street; walk bikes across the street.
• Stay alert and avoid distracted riding.

SLOW DOWN

Drivers should slow down, especially in residential areas and school zones, and know what the yellow and red bus signals mean. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is getting ready to stop, that motorists should slow down and be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign indicate the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off.

.Motorists must stop when they are behind a bus, meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped. Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety. This includes two and four-lane highways. If physical barriers such as grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping.

KEEP LITTLE ONES SAFE

Keeping all students safe is the primary concern for everyone, but there are special steps for parents of younger kids and those going to school for the first time:

• Make sure the child knows their phone number, address, how to get in touch with their parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult and how to call 911.
• Teach children not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they don’t know.

Finally, download the free Red Cross First Aid app for instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies. You can find it by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps. Learn and practice First Aid and CPR/AED skills by taking a course (redcross.org/takeaclass) so you can help save a life.

Keep your furry (and not so furry) friends safe this winter

By Divya Kumar

Winter is a great season to recharge with your furry friends by your side. Whether you have a dog, cat, rabbit, horse, scaly friend or another type of animal, it’s important to remember a few things to ensure they are cozy, safe, and warm alongside you when the weather gets cold!

Tip #1: Before even getting in your car, much less starting it, be sure to look under your vehicle for a little one potentially hiding out seeking warmth. Also, be sure to either knock on your hood a couple times or quickly pop it open to see if there’s a little ball of fluff cozied up next to your engine. (It does happen!) If you do find an animal, call animal control or, if you feel comfortable handling it, take it to the nearest shelter.

Tip #2: If its super cold out for you, then its super cold out for your pet! Never leave your pet out in the cold, no matter what. For many of us pet owners, our pets are family. Treat your pet with the same dignity you treat your most vulnerable family member.

Tip #3: If you need to walk your dog, be mindful of the hard salt crystals that are distributed on sidewalks and roads before a storm. Your dog’s paw pads are sensitive! Before going out, rub some salve on your dog’s paw. There are a few brands you can find by googling “paw pad salve.” If your dog needs extra TLC on his or her paws, acclimate them to wearing booties. They may not like it at first, but that’s why you’re the one taking care of your pet—to do what’s best for them!

Tip #4: Cats and dogs love a warm spot to snuggle, so make sure there are some cozy spots inside where they can snuggle when it gets extra cold outside. My cats like the thermo kitty sill—you can get it from most online retailers.

Tip #5: It can be tempting to blast the heater on extra hot when it dips below freezing, but be mindful that you’re not creating a sauna. Cats and dogs have a higher body temperature than humans, and they can overheat quickly.

Tip #6: If you’re going out overnight and leaving your animals behind, check the weather forecast for storms. A snowstorm could lead to a power outage, and if you use an automatic food dispenser that needs to be plugged in, your pets will go hungry! Get someone to cover for you, ideally, or use a battery-operated dispenser.

Tip #7: Have fun! Wintertime can be magical for the pets you can take outside. Some dogs love the snow, others not so much. Always respect your pet’s needs, likes and dislikes. If your dog does not like the snow, and you love it, maybe check out your local shelter and ask to walk a dog who loves the snow! The SPCA near me lets us take certain dogs to the park. A fun option to spend some time with a shelter dog who loves the snow as much as you. Your own dog won’t be jealous and will be thankful he or she can stay cozy inside.

With snow in the forecast, here’s what you need to know to stay safe

By: Sophie Kluthe

Like many of you, I keep looking up various weather reports to see just how much snow (or rain) we might or might not get Wednesday as Winter Storm Gail moves closer to the Northeast. At this point I almost feel out of practice as we didn’t even get an inch of measurable snowfall last year in Philadelphia. Whether you are a city dweller, living life in the suburbs, or you might need to commute between the two, here is a refresher on winter storm safety.

During any kind of storm, your best bet will be to stay off the road, but if driving in winter weather is unavoidable, here are some tips:

• In your vehicle keep a windshield scraper, small shovel, and small sack of sand or kitty litter for generating traction under wheels. Also carry an emergency supply kit, including warm clothing. 
• Keep your vehicle’s gas tank full so you can leave right away in an emergency and to ensure you have enough fuel to keep warm if you get stuck. 
• Make sure everyone has their seat belts on and give your full attention to the road. 
• Don’t follow other vehicles too closely. Sudden stops are difficult on snowy roadways. 
• Don’t use cruise control when driving in winter weather. 
• Don’t pass snow plows. 
• Ramps, bridges and overpasses freeze before roadways. 
• If you become stranded, stay in the vehicle and wait for help. Do not leave the vehicle to search for assistance unless help is visible within 100 yards (91 meters). You can quickly become disoriented and confused in blowing snow. 

For more on winter storm safety click here.

If you have to go outside, wear layered clothing, mittens or gloves, and a hat to stay warm. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent, and if you can’t keep dry, change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Getting the snow shovel out? Do a few stretching exercises to warm up your body, which will reduce your chances of muscle injury. 

Speaking of shoveling, avoid overexertion, such as shoveling heavy snow, pushing a vehicle, or walking in deep snow. The strain from the cold and the hard labor may cause a heart attack. Sweating could lead to a chill and hypothermia. And lastly, walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks. Slips and falls occur frequently in winter weather, resulting in painful and sometimes disabling injuries. 

If you plan involves keeping the front door firmly shut, remember to take the following precautions while heating your home:

• If using a space heater, place the heater on a level, hard and nonflammable surface in the home. 
• Keep all potential sources of fuel like paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs at least three feet away from space heaters, stoves, or fireplaces. 
• Portable heaters and fireplaces should never be left unattended. Turn off space heaters and make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home. 
• Keep children and pets away from space heaters. 
• Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home. 
• Keep fire in your fireplace by using a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs. 
• Test batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 
• Develop a fire escape plan and practice it with everyone who lives in the home. 

Forecasts can change, so remember to keep an eye and an ear on your local weather reports. Remember to include your pets in all of your winter weather planning. Stay warm and stay safe!

Thanksgiving Cooking/Traveling Safety Tips

According to AAA, this upcoming five-day weekend (Wednesday, Nov. 22 to Sunday, Nov. 26) is going to be the busiest Thanksgiving holiday for travel since 2005. The organization projects that more than 50 million people will journey 50 miles or more from their homes, a 1.6 million increase from last year.

Experts are calling for “record-level travel delays,” starting as early as Tuesday night.

“Knowing when and where congestion will build can help drivers avoid the stress of sitting in traffic.” Says Bob Pishue of INRIX, a global transportation analytics company

For those flying, cheaper airfare will be countered with hefty prices for car rentals. And gas prices are up nearly 37 cents from the first half of November 2016.

Tips to deal:

The best advice is to plan ahead, expect delays. Avoid distractions. Check the air pressure on your tires. And you should always have at least half your gas tank filled up with gasoline.

It’s also important to be well-rested when you hit the road. Don’t push yourself too hard, when it comes to travel times. With a little patience and resolve, you’ll get there in time.

And when you do get there…

It’s also important to remember some fire safety tips for the kitchen, as the turkey roasts in the oven. For starters, stay alert. Organize all cooking utensils in an orderly fashion, and be aware of what you’re doing. Keep an eye on the stove. If you have to — remind yourself that the oven is on. Tell yourself twice.

Also, pets and kids must be kept away from whatever it is you’re cooking.

Anything that could possibly catch fire, like grease, towels, paper bags, should all be safely removed from the closeness of a burning flame. It’s best to work in a clean and safe environment.

Check your smoke alarms. And check the sometimes bad cooking habits of your nieces, nephews, and neighbors.

Being alert and aware of your surroundings is the first rule of safety. Whether you’re on the road, at the airport, or sitting at the table with family, remember it’ll be the little things that keep you safe during this holiday.

For more safety tips on winter weather travel and public transportation and the flu, try this Red Cross travel tips article. Also available for download is the Red Cross Emergency App, which includes weather updates; and the First Aid App includes medical guidance and a hospital locator. Both apps can be found in app stores or at redcross.org/aps.

Additional sources:

AAA NewsRoom, “Nearly 51 Million Americans To Travel This Thanksgiving, Highest Volume In A Dozen Years”

USA Today, “Thanksgiving travel AAA: U.S. weekend to be busiest since 2005, report forecasts”

American Red Cross, “Red Cross Issues Safe Cooking Tips as Thanksgiving Approaches”

Written By: Bryan Myers

Dos and Donts of Flooding

With heavy rains amongst us and the peak of hurricane season fast-approaching, it’s important to be prepared and know some basic safety tips when it comes to flooding. Floods not only occur frequently, but the resulting damage can be quite costly. They are often caused by heavy or steady rainfall for several hours or days that saturate the ground. Particularly, flash floods occur suddenly due to rapidly rising water along a stream or low-lying area. Often weather forecasters will use different terms to describe floods. While a “flood/flash flood watch” describes a possible flood in your area, a “flood/flash flood warning” emphasizes that a flood is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.

In addition to knowing the predicted weather conditions of your region, it’s important to be prepared for any possible or sudden evacuations. When a flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground. Stay away from all floodwaters and keep children away from streams or running water.  If you do happen to come across a flowing stream of water that reaches above your ankles—stop, turn around, and go another way. Stick with the motto, “Turn around, don’t drown!” Remember, six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.  These basic rules also apply when driving. If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are quickly rising, move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water. It’s especially important to be cautious at night when it’s harder to recognize flood danger and difficult to perceive how deep the water really is. More tips on flood preparation can be found here.

While it’s definitely important to be aware of these basic safety tips when it comes to flooding, you can find more tips on what to do right before, during, and after a flood by using the free hurricane app from American Red Cross for iPhone and Android. Along with tips, it provides preloaded checklists, tracker maps, and alerts that can help you in times of a flood watch or warning. It even provides emergency tools such as a flashlight, strobe light, alarm, and an “I’m Safe” feature that allows you to communicate with others on your current condition via Twitter, Facebook, SMS, and email.  In times of flooding, stay informed, be prepared, act smartly, and make use of the tools available on the Red Cross Hurricane App.

Download the app here for iPhone and here for Android.

-Khushbu Majmundar, Americorps NPRC member