How To Show Food Safety to Children

Food safety is important to teach children to keep them safe in the kitchen both in their home and when they are in friends' and family's homes. Every child has his or her own way of learning and when it comes to food safety there are multiple ways to teach your kids the basics.

• Use of charts and diagrams

Make a chart or diagram by using cardboard and markers. List food safety techniques like Wear Oven Mitts When Removing Items From the Oven and list types of foods with the risks they pose and ways to avoid the risks. For example, you could list hotdogs as a choking hazard then write cut into small pieces to avoid choking.

• Take your kids on a tour of the kitchen

Walk your kids through the kitchen and show them firsthand techniques on food safety. A few things you can show them are how to properly use a microwave, what foods to store in the refrigerator and how to store leftovers. Have your kids practice the food safety techniques you show them with your supervision so they can have a hands-on experience.

• Sign your kids up for a food safety class

Look for classes in your community on food safety. Sign your kids and yourself up. It is especially helpful to find classes that are for your child's age range. Brothers and sisters may enjoy taking a class together. When you home from the class, try using the techniques you learned in your own kitchen.

• Read books on food safety

Visit your local library and check out books on food saftey. Spend time reading the books with your children and make sure they understand what is being read to them. Ask your kids questions about what they learned in the books when you are done. Have them practice the techniques they learned in your kitchen with supervision.

• Visit a restaurant kitchen

Visit a local restaurant and ask permission for your children to see what types of food safety techniques the kitchen follows. Have the kids ask questions and when you are finished with the visit ask your kids questions on food safety to make sure they understand what is being taught to them.