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- Underwater Dangers
- First Step of Food Safety
- Get a Second Opinion
- Cross-Country Diseases
Lurking beneath the surface of your favorite pond, lake, and river are all sorts of frightening things that are waiting to get you. Should you be worried? Read on to find out. Read >>
While the need for food safety on the grill and on the way to your mouth is often discussed, you may not realize how much danger your food may be in before it ever leaves your house. What can you do to keep your food safe, sound, and ready to be gobbled down safely at the next family outing? Read >>
No one likes to be second-guessed. It hurts your feelings and causes you to feel you’re not trusted. But when it comes to your health, getting a second opinion at certain times is vital. Here are three answers to your second-opinion questions. Read >>
If you're planning on traveling overseas, read on to learn about the most common diseases you put yourself at risk for contracting and how to avoid them. Read >>
First Step of Food Safety
What you should know about food safety before it hits your plate.
It's a great day. The entire family is out on a picnic at the park, enjoying great conversation, a friendly game of badminton, and some of Uncle James' world-famous potato salad. On the ride home, your cell phone rings and you find out your sister is feeling sick. Two minutes later, another call. Your cousin feels the same way. By the time you get home, you sprint to the bathroom and realize that you, too, fell victim to food poisoning.
While the need for food safety on the grill and on the way to your mouth is often discussed, you may not realize how much danger your food may be in before it ever leaves your house. What can you do to keep your food safe, sound, and ready to be gobbled down safely at the next family outing?
Do This: Refrigerate
Any time you bring a food item into your home that requires refrigeration or freezing, it should be put in the proper place immediately. If you get in a crunch and have cold foods that can't get in cold storage immediately, never allow it to stay out longer than two hours at room temperature. In the event you're in an environment that is much warmer than typical room temperature, get the food refrigerated much faster or prepare to toss the food in the garbage.
Do This: Enjoy
Instead of letting lunchmeats, hot dogs, and other ready-to-eat foods sit in the fridge for weeks and months, eat them today. Allowing them to stay in the refrigerator puts your cold meats at increased risk for carrying dangerous bacteria. So sidestep this unwanted food issue by chowing down as soon as possible.
Do This: Research
In order to get the right foods in the right place, you have to know where they go. If you're unsure where a certain food item should be placed, look at the label. Every food that requires refrigeration or freezing will be labeled appropriately, so figuring out what goes in the fridge, freezer, or pantry is usually no problem. Once you know what belongs in the cold, put it there.
Do This: Trash
Have something in the refrigerator that doesn't quite look right? Smells a little funny? Don't run the risk of food poisoning and other food-related illnesses by eating it to spite your eyes and nose. Instead, take the potentially hazardous food and throw it in the trash. Even if it doesn't make you sick, old food that may have a little mold on it tastes awful.
Do This: Reset
To ensure your foods are kept at the right temperature, it's important to have your refrigerator and freezer set at the right temperature. The ideal temperature for a refrigerator is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower and the freezer should stay at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. It's a good idea to check the temperature in both every once in a while and adjust the temperature as needed.
