Tis the season to be jolly – but we also want to make it a happy and safe Christmas.
Follow the advice from our Environmental Health and Licensing teams to enjoy the festivities safely.
Food facts
Planning the perfect Christmas dinner? Your turkey needs time to defrost safely. Bacteria love it when we rush and defrost food at room temperature. Defrost your turkey in the fridge well in advance to prevent illnesses like food poisoning.
That golden turkey might look perfect on the outside, but is it cooked throughout? To make sure meat is fully cooked cut into the thickest part of the meat, check that none of the meat is pink and that any juices run clear.
Bacteria love it when we leave warm leftovers sitting out at room temperature for an extended amount of time. Cool leftovers quickly and get them in the fridge.
A festive spread of smoked fish, soft mould-ripened cheese and cold meats is a feast for the eyes and also, unfortunately, for listeria bacteria, which can make you ill. Keep your cold spread cold and consider alternative picky bits, especially for pregnant women and your vulnerable relatives.
Enjoying a night out
For many the festive period is a perfect opportunity for a night out with family, friends and colleagues. Hart licensing officers make sure our local venues are fully up to speed to help keep their customers safe. We check that staff are aware of the ‘Ask Angela’ and ‘Spike Aware’ schemes.
Ask for Angela is a safety initiative that allows people to discreetly seek help if they feel unsafe or vulnerable in a licensed venue. Asking venue staff for “Angela” is a signal they need assistance.
Spiking is when someone deliberately adds alcohol or drugs to someone’s drink without their knowledge or consent. The advice is never leave your drinks unattended or accept a drink from someone you don’t know and you can also ask for a drink cover at the bar.
Getting home safely
The ‘Who’s taking you home?’ campaign highlights the ways you can get home safely after enjoying festive celebrations.
Plan your journey home before you go out, choose a designated driver who stays on the soft drinks and doesn’t take drugs, use the bus, walk, or pre-book a taxi so you can get home safely. Don’t forget it’s illegal for drivers of cabs, even if licensed, to tout for customers on the street.
Keeping your pet safe
If you’re going away this Christmas and can’t take your dog or cat with you, make sure that your kennel, home boarder or cattery is licensed. If you’ve not used it before it’s wise to visit and check is will suit your pet. You can find a list of licensed premises on our website