Decorating, hiding, finding and eating eggs is a fond tradition on Easter, and special care should be taken when handling fresh eggs.
Follow these tips from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for an “eggs-tra” safe holiday:
Before buying eggs, open the carton and check each one for cracks. Select eggs without cracks to avoid exposure to harmful bacteria.
Store eggs in a refrigerator in their original carton.
Wash hands thoroughly before cooking, cooling, dyeing or hiding eggs.
If hiding hard-boiled eggs for an Easter egg hunt, choose hiding places away from pets, wild animals, insects and yard chemicals.
Be sure to find all the eggs you’ve hidden, and discard any damaged eggs.
Do not eat hard-boiled eggs that have been unrefrigerated for more than two hours. Use refrigerated hard-boiled eggs within a week.
Do not eat eggs that have been dyed with coloring that is not safe for food.
If using plastic Easter eggs instead of real eggs, consider these precautions:
Count plastic eggs before hiding them to ensure all are found and not left outside to become litter.
Beware of plastic products that might contain bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA, and only fill eggs with wrapped candies to prevent contamination by chemicals in plastic.
Avoid toys and treats that are choking hazards for young children. Keep in mind that the individual halves of plastic eggs might be choking hazards for some youngsters.
Other safety suggestions for an Easter egg hunt include:
Check the hunt area for potential problems such as tripping hazards, poisonous plants and sharp garden tools.
Rope off a designated area where Easter eggs are hidden so that children know where to look and stay safe.
Supervise children while they are hunting for eggs to ensure they stay safe.
Prevent pets from eating hard-boiled eggs and candy such as chocolate.
Follow coronavirus restrictions that are in place in your area. Consider limiting the Easter celebration to your immediate household.
