Along with the holiday season comes food and food preparation and the Cypress Health Region want to ensure that everyone has a safe and happy holiday season.

Jacqualine Treen, Senior Health Inspector for the Cypress Health Region says with regards to food preparation you should practice health etiquette and remember to cover any sneezes or coughs and wash hands regularly.


Treen also provides some tips regarding leftovers.

"Make sure your potentially hazardous foods are not sitting on the counter. Make sure they are cooled as quickly as possible. Leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to two or three days or put it in the freezer to enjoy later."

In addition appetizers that contain potentially hazardous ingredients should be kept hot or cold at all times.

For those trying to prepare what they can ahead of time, Treen provides some tips on the safe preparation of the traditional main dinner attraction.

"You have to pull out your turkey a couple days in advance to make sure you thaw it under proper conditions. A turkey should never be thawed at room temperature on the counter. You should only thaw it in the cooler and if you didn't pull your turkey out soon enough to do that you can always use running water under the original packaging."

If over the holidays anyone begins to experience signs or symptoms of food poisoning, Treen says they should immediately go to see their doctor and should also alert Public Health in order for them to do a complete follow up and see if anyone else is ill.