Food Safety; children snacking alone
BY: NORMA FLANAGAN 4-H Director

How can you be sure your child will have a safe and enjoyable snack when mom or dad are not at home to help?

1. Establish some basic "kitchen rules" and consider putting them in writing.

2. Teach your child the importance of clean hands, utensils and other basic food safety techniques.

3. Don't turn unsupervised tasks over to kids too soon. The average age at which kids begin to use the microwave is 7, but some experts recommend that kids under age 10 not be allowed to use the microwave oven without supervision.

4. Be aware that severe burns can occur from improper microwave usage. Have a training session for your kids who are old enough to use the microwave. Keep in mind that paper or glass covers are better for kids to use than plastic wrap because venting to let steam escape can be dangerous.

5. Always keep on hand a ready supply of nutritious snacks that you are sure your child can handle easily alone.

Kids, for safety:

1. Keep eating counters and tables clean.

2. Always wash your hands before making or eating a snack. Hands can carry a lot of germs.

3. Always use clean forks, spoons and dishes.

4. Wash fruits and vegetables with clean water before you eat them.

5. Do not eat bread, cheese or soft fruits or vegetables that look bad or have even small spots of mold.

6. Put cold food items like milk, lunchmeat, hard cooked eggs and yogurt back in the refrigerator as soon as you have fixed your snack.

Kids, for safe microwaving:

1. Ask your parents to teach you how to use the microwave oven.

2. Never turn on an empty oven. It could cause the oven to break.

3. Read the instructions on packages carefully. Make sure you know how to set the controls so you don't cook for 10 minutes when you only need 10 seconds.

4. Use only microwavesafe cookware. Ask your mom or dad to mark these specific utensils and containers and keep them in a certain place. Never use plastics like margarine tubs in the microwave.

5. If possible, rotate foods and stir halfway through cooking.

6. To avoid possibly being burned, do not use the microwave oven if you have to reach up to remove food from the oven.

7. Use pot holders or oven mitts to remove food from the oven.

8. Steam can burn you. If a dish is covered, be very careful to turn up the corner of plastic wrap or wax paper away from your face and hands to let steam escape. If the dish has a hard cover, allow the steam to escape on the side away from your face and hands.

9. Never pop food into your mouth until you are sure it is cool enough not to burn you.

Specific Tips for Favorite Snacks:

Popcorn - remember, steam can burn you. Let the bag sit for several minutes before you open it.

Hotdogs and Baked potatoes - Pierce them before you cook them so they dont explode.

Jelly or cream-filled doughnuts and fruit pastries -

Fillings can get so hot they burn your mouth. Remember to break these open to cool before you bite.