As the holiday season approaches, friends and families often plan to collect around the dinner table as part of the festivities. Food safety ought to be an important part of those festivities, said Karen Blakeslee, coordinator of the Fast Response Middle at Kansas State University Research and Extension.

To make the holiday season special and safe, Blakeslee recommends ten reasons to handle food safely. The following information may even be found at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Net site at: www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/pubs/topten.htm.

Safe food handling practices can preserve food's peak quality. Keep hot foods hot and chilled foods chilled. Proper temperatures will help reduce the growth of bacteria, which spoils food and causes disease. This practice will also enhance the appearance, aroma and texture of the foods.

Safe food handling means nourishing food. Select a variety of healthy foods to make use of at their peak of freshness or preserve them for long-term storage. Foods decayed by bacterial growth or temperature abuse, must be discarded.

Handling food safely can be efficient. Don't take chances in the name of saving time. For example, thawing meat at room temperature or cooking partially can permit bacteria to grow quickly. Massive amounts of bacteria cannot be killed by cooking. Therefore, thaw perishable foods and meat in the refrigerator, under chilled jogging water or in the microwave. Microwave-thawed foods ought to be cooked immediately.

Set a lovely example for relatives and friends by handling food safely. Take charge. Safe handling practices can be as simple as washing your hands often.

Inspire confidence and keep peace in the relatives. Food handling practices often cause relatives feuds. Simple steps to prevent these discussions include keeping hands tidy, separating raw foods from ready-to-eat foods, keeping hot foods hot and chilled foods chilled, storing leftovers in the refrigerator within five hours of cooking and reheating leftovers to 165 F before serving.

Handling food safely is being responsible. Guests deserve the best, as you expect the best from others who produce and prepare food. Take a 'farm-to-the-table' approach to show that the home food preparer is an important link in the food safety chain.

Use lovely food safety practices at community dinners. When serving community dinners in the work of the holidays, keep in mind individuals who attend these dinners range in age from the young to the elderly. Some may have weakened immune systems. Always wear tidy clothes, an apron and hair restraint. Wear disposable plastic gloves after washing your hands and change them often. Protect diners' health and the reputation of your organization.

Spare yourself and others a painful bout of disease. Some food- borne illnesses produce long-term consequences. Ought to they fear food? No, said Blakeslee. Microorganisms are all over the place, however, so they must take precautions. Sometimes, what cannot be seen can hurt you.

Food safety can economize. Food-borne disease costs billions of dollars each year in health care costs and lost wages. Although it may be hard to throw away mishandled food, it is less pricey than doctor visits. Keep in mind the saying: 'when in doubt, throw it out.'

Using proper food safety practices can save a life.