"JUST LOOK AT THOSE HANDS...!"

You've heard it over and over again from your parents, playground teachers, "Just look at those hands...! Wash them...!" You get tired of hearing it day after day. And your probably tired of washing up so often too. But if you knew -- and if grown-ups knew -- exactly why it's so important, handwashing would be "number one" on everyone's list of things to do. Once a day just isn't good enough -- not if you want to keep harmful bacteria and other germs away...! Most of these germs won't hurt you. In fact, you can't even get rid of many of them, no matter how hard you try. But germs also come from the world around you, and some of these CAN hurt you. They can give you a sore throat and make you sick. Luckily, these germs and bacteria are the sort you can do something about. All you have to do is "wash your hands"...! Handwashing can also help you keep food safe. Let's say you're making a after school snack for your friends. If your dirty hands touch the food, germs could spread, grow and cause food poisoning. So next time, don't just look at those hands -- wash them...! Follow these handy and very easy handwashing tips:

Food Safety - Handwashing - Parents and Children
??? When Should I Wash my Hands ???

• #1 is BEFORE handling OR preparing ANY food.
• After using the bathroom for any reason.
• After touching a cut or sore.
• After handling any raw meat, poultry or uncooked food.
• After touching your (or anyone else's - kids or pets) hair, face or body.
• After sneezing or coughing.
• After smoking, chewing tobacco, or gum.
• After eating or drinking.
• After cleaning any surface or working with other chemicals.
• After handling garbage or other food or animal waste.
• After doing ANYTHING that would contaminate your hands.

??? How Should I Wash my Hands ???

• Use warm kitchen tap water to wet your hands.
• Apply a bacterial soap to your hands or use a bar of soap.
• Rub hands together briskly for at least 15 to 20 seconds.
• Make sure you get in between your fingers.
• A place that dirt loves to hide is under and around the fingernails.
• A good nail brush does the best job there. Keep your fingernails short.
• Rinse your hands well in warm water.
• Those nasty germs will go down the drain...!
• Thoroughly dry your hands using kitchen paper towels.
• THROW THEM AWAY...!!! DO NOT DRY THEM AND REUSE...!!!

Food Safety - Basic Kitchen Meat Handling

• Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling all meat or poultry.
• Use only clean surfaces for placing any raw meat on.
• DO NOT allow any family pet onto the kitcken counters or food preparation areas.
• Wash any surface (cutting board, plate, platter, etc.) that raw meat was placed upon with hot soapy water or detergent before placing any other food on it. Rinse well in hot water. This is especially important for cutting boards.
• NEVER put cooked food on the dish that held raw meat, poultry or uncooked food.

Food Safety - Thawing Frozen Meat

• Wash you hands thoroughly before and after handling any meat.
• The best place to thaw meat is the refrigerator.
• If you are cooking steaks or chops place the meat in the refrigerator the day before you intend to cook it.
• If you are cooking a roast give it two to three days. This reduces the risk of any bacterial growth.
• Thawing meat at room temperature is NOT recommended.
• For a quick thaw, place the meat, still in its vacuum sealed bag, in cold water.
• When using smaller cuts such as steaks, one to two hours in cold water, before cooking.
• For larger cuts such as roasts, two to four hours in cold water, before cooking.
• You may also use a microwave oven for thawing meat, but be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions for defrosting various meats.

!!!...Food Safety for Kids...!!!

• Wash your hands BEFORE you eat ANYTHING...!
• Fruits and vegetables are healthy snacks but be sure to wash them well with cool water before eating.
• When you pack a COLD school lunch, use ice packs to keep the cold food COLD.
• When you pack a HOT school lunch, use a proper thermos to keep hot food HOT.
• Keep the doors of the refrigerator and freezer closed at all times, when not in use.
• This is to keep the cold air IN, the warm air OUT and your food safe.
• Clean up any food spills or bottle leaks in your refrigerator right away.
• Be sure your table, plates, utensils and hands are clean BEFORE you put food onto them.
• NEVER put cooked food on the dish that held raw or uncooked food.
• If you are preparing food, DO NOT eat raw cookie dough or anything else with raw eggs in it.
• Cookie dough contains uncooked eggs and may carry bacteria which causes food poisoning.
• Wait until the cookies are done baking, and cool down before digging in to them...!
• Once cooked, eggs are safe. If eggs are not cooked, they can carry harmful bacteria.
• Put milk and leftovers right back in the refrigerator...!
• Food left out for extended periods of time can enter the "DANGER ZONE".
• This type of food can spoil and become unhealthy for you to eat. If in doubt, throw it out...!!!
• Remember to wash your hands after you use the bathroom, touch your face, pet the dog, play with the cat, clean up any spill or touch anything that is not super clean...!
• REPEAT OUTLOUD AGAIN... Remember to wash your hands AFTER you use the bathroom, TOUCH your face, PET the dog, PLAY with the cat, CLEAN UP ANY SPILL or touch anything that is not super clean...!