The Elderly and Food Poisoning: Fourth of July Safety Tips

Happy Fourth of July!

In case you’re celebrating with an elderly person, here are some safety tips to help you prepare.

Grills and fireworks are fun “until somebody gets hurt.” (Where have we heard that before?) If your elderly parent gets burned, the American Red Cross advises calling 911 for “burns other than a very minor one.”

Food poisoning also poses special dangers to seniors. According to the Advocate on Aging blog:

For the elderly, the risk of food poisoning is higher than in the general population. Our immune systems weaken as we age. … In addition, our stomachs produce less acid as we get older, which allows more harmful germs to get into the digestive system.

… When elderly people do get food poisoning, they may face more severe consequences, ranging from mild dehydration to neuromuscular dysfunction. Recovery from a nasty bout will also take more time for older people.

Mayo Clinic has some tips on preventing food poisoning, including a list of foods the elderly should be careful about eating—even soft cheeses and uncooked hot dogs and deli meats.

“Refrigerate or freeze perishable foods within two hours of purchasing or preparing them,” Mayo Clinic advises. Also:

Do not thaw foods at room temperature. The safest way to thaw foods is to defrost foods in the refrigerator or to microwave the food using the “defrost” or “50 percent power” setting. Running cold water over the food also safely thaws the food.

And remember, “Throw it out when in doubt. … Even if it looks and smells fine, it may not be safe to eat.”