[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With Easter just around the corner, it’s not too late to get all your ducks in a row (no pun intended!) to guarantee safety. Use this checklist to make sure your Easter events, celebrations, and festivals are safe and secure.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-square-o” color=”black”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Use one set of eggs for decorating and hunting and another set for eating. Or to be really safe, use plastic eggs for your Easter egg hunt instead of real ones.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-square-o” color=”black”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Coloring Easter eggs can be fun, but if you’re planning to eat the eggs you dye, make sure you only use food-grade dyes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-square-o” color=”black”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]When preparing hard-boiled eggs for an egg hunt, be on the lookout for cracks in the shells. Even tiny cracks can allow bacteria to contaminate the egg. Eggs that have any cracks should be thrown out.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-square-o” color=”black”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Keep track of time to ensure that any hard-boiled eggs used for a hunt or any table decorations that have been unrefrigerated for more than two hours are discarded.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-square-o” color=”black”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]To prevent choking, avoid hard candy that’s round, thick or sticky treats, or any candy that can’t be easily chewed. Kids’ airways are higher and narrower than adults’ airways, creating a higher potential for choking.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-square-o” color=”black”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Check treats and snacks to see if they include nuts. Many children are allergic to nuts, and just having them in the same room can trigger an allergic reaction.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-square-o” color=”black”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Fake Easter grass looks great in a basket as a decoration, but it’s not easily digestible. Avoid using this with young children as they may think it’s something good to eat (although it does taste rather yucky!).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-square-o” color=”black”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Be sure to conduct background checks on the adults who will staff your Easter fair or children’s activities. Predators often look for one-time access to children, as they think they won’t have to go through a screening process.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]These tested safety tips should help make your Easter activities safe and fun.
***
– – Taken from a recent Shepherd’s Watch newsletter. Sign up today for Shepherd’s Watch Background Checks and receive your free monthly newsletter filled with advice and tips on keeping your church safe.
[We love to provide tips to keep your ministry safe. However, you may also want to consult your local legal advisors to get their perspective on this topic.][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]