Spring celebrations are here, and whether you’re gathering for Easter dinner or a Passover Seder, it’s a time to enjoy good food, family traditions and seasonal favorites. From glazed ham and roasted lamb to brisket and decorated eggs, these meals bring people together—but they also require safe food handling.

A delicious holiday meal can quickly turn into a problem if harmful bacteria like salmonella, listeria or E. coli make an appearance. These germs don’t care how carefully you planned your menu—they’ll show up uninvited if food isn’t handled properly.

Handle raw meat and eggs carefully, avoid cross-contamination, and cook foods to the proper temperature. The safer the prep, the sweeter the celebration.

Five key tips to keep your Easter and Passover meals safe and delicious:

#1. Handle Eggs with Care

• Eggs should not sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
• Keep hard-cooked eggs refrigerated until ready to serve.
• If decorating eggs, use food-grade dye if they will be eaten.
• Consider using plastic eggs for hunts to avoid spoilage.

#2. Prep with Care

• Raw meat and eggs can spread bacteria to hands, surfaces, and utensils.
• Wash hands and surfaces with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use separate cutting boards for raw meats and ready-to-eat foods.

#3. Cook Thoroughly

• Brisket, lamb, and ham should be cooked to safe internal temperatures:
• Brisket & lamb: 145°F (with a 3-minute rest)
• Fresh ham: 160°F
  • Always use a food thermometer to be sure.

#4. Know Your Ham

• Some hams are ready-to-eat, while others require cooking.
• Read packaging carefully to determine proper preparation.
• Ready-to-eat hams can be served cold or reheated.

#5. Handle Leftovers Quickly 

• Refrigerate perishable foods within 2 hours.
• Bacteria can grow rapidly in food left out too long.
• Store leftovers properly and reheat thoroughly before eating.

Keep the Celebration Safe

Following basic food safety practices helps ensure your holiday stays focused on celebration—not illness. Keep hot foods hot, cold foods cold, and always wash your hands before, during, and after preparing food.

“It’s not something we always think about, but food safety is really about protecting your entire community,” said Rolando Villareal, EMD Environmental Health Division Chief. “Safe food handling helps prevent foodborne illness and keeps families and gatherings healthy during the holidays.”

For more food safety tips, visit the CDC Food Safety website, check out Sacramento County Environmental Management Department, or call 916-875-8440. 

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The post 5 Essential Food Safety Tips for Easter and Passover first appeared on SacramentoHelp.info.

Sacramento County’s annual Fentanyl Awareness Summit is back this year with a renewed sense of urgency and hope. Hosted by the Sacramento County Department of Health Services, in collaboration with the Sacramento County Opioid Coalition; Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society; California State University, Sacramento; the US Attorney’s Office; Sac Metro Fire and local law enforcement, the event will take place on Sept. 4, 2025.

The summit aims to bring community members together to analyze data trends, discuss prevention, treatment, harm reduction and enforcement efforts, hear from those with lived experiences, provide resources and support ongoing solutions for a safer community.​

This year’s event centers around a message that sets it apart from previous summits: fentanyl-related deaths are declining in Sacramento County for the second year in a row. After years of staggering increases, new data shows another year of progress. The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office reported a 32% reduction in fentanyl-related deaths from 2023 to 2024.It’s a promising sign that prevention, education, treatment and enforcement efforts are making an impact.

“We know we still have a long road ahead, but this decline is something to hold onto,” said Lori Miller, Division Manager for Sacramento County’s Substance Use Prevention and Treatment. “It shows that our work is saving lives.”

If you’d like to attend the summit and learn how you can support a safer community, make sure to register online. If you cannot attend, there are still many ways to get involved and help keep the momentum going:

• Educate and Advocate: Learn and spread the word about campaigns like Safer Sacramento and 1 Pill Can Kill.
• Wear Purple on Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day (Thursday, Aug. 21). Take this time to educate the public on the dangers of fentanyl, fake pills and other illicit drugs, while also highlighting the difference between fentanyl poisoning and overdose. 
• Wear Purple on International Overdose Awareness Day (Sunday, Aug. 31). This globally observed day aims to reduce the stigma associated with drug-related deaths, remember those lost and acknowledge the grief endured by their loved ones.
• Join the Opioid Coalition. Meetings are held quarterly. Visit the Sacramento County Opiod Coalition Website for the meeting schedule and more information.
• Share Your Loved One’s Story through an Opioid Awareness Project featuring Gone Too Soon Memorial Posters, commemorating the precious lives lost in Sacramento and surrounding counties. Those interested should contact Lori Miller at Millerlori@saccounty.gov.
• Watch and Share “The Ripple Effect.” Sacramento County’s Department of Health Service’s Sacramento Substance Use Prevention and Treatment, in collaboration with NTI Upstream, proudly presents The Ripple Effect – a powerful nine-part documentary blog series exposing the devastating impact of the fentanyl crisis in the United States, with a sharp focus on Sacramento County. Each episode offers an in-depth exploration of the epidemic’s roots, its far-reaching impact on individuals and communities, and the determined local response aimed at prevention, education and recovery. The Ripple Effect is available on the Safer Sacramento website.

For more information and resources, call BHS-SAC at 916-875-1055 for a substance use assessment or visit Sacramento County’s Department of Health Services.

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As Sacramentans attend parties and celebrations, the City’s Office of Nighttime Economy has a few tips to help everyone have fun and a safe night.

“New Year’s Eve is a big night for Sacramento and knowing these safety tips can help everyone have a more pleasant experience,” said Tina Lee-Vogt, the City’s Nighttime Economy Manager. “Have a ride, know your limits, take safety precautions, know the rules about your venue and most importantly, have fun!”

Here are a few tips for having a safe and fun New Year’s Eve.

1. Know your limits:
   • Drink alcohol responsibly and stay hydrated.
   • Never leave your drink unattended or accept drinks from strangers.
   • If you plan on drinking, designate a safe and sober driver.
2. Know personal safety precautions:
   • Always be aware of your surroundings and know exits in case of emergencies.
   • Don’t leave with a stranger without telling someone you know.
   • Be a good bystander and take appropriate action if you see harassment.
   • Please report any suspicious activity to Sacramento Police Dispatch at 916-808-5471.
3. Know your venue requirements:
   • Be aware of venue rules and codes.
   • Be prepared to have your identification verified or scanned.
4. Know your transportation plans:
   • Always share your location so someone knows where you’re going.
   • Have a travel plan to get home safely.
   • Check license plates before you enter your for-hire vehicle.
5. Know before you park:
   • Reserve parking ahead of time at Reserve Sacramento Parking – SacPark.
   • Park in well-lit areas.
   • Lock your vehicle and keep personal items out of sight.

The Sacramento Police Department will have additional resources working in the city’s downtown core on New Year’s Eve, helping provide a safe environment for people to celebrate the new year.

The Office of Nighttime Economy serves as a coordinator, collaborator, mediator, policy maker and primary contact for the nighttime economy. The office works collaboratively with the City’s nightlife team to ensure a safe and vibrant nightlife for Sacramento.

The post Have a Fun and Safe Night on New Year’s Eve first appeared on SacramentoHelp.info.

“California leads the nation in kicking off Recovery Month each year with our Annual Recovery Happens event on the west steps of the State Capitol in Sacramento. As one of the longest-running, annual events in the recovery space, we take pride in creating an amazing, day-long program for people in recovery from throughout the state and the nation. This year’s event promises to be bigger than ever with multiple organizations representing the California Coalition of Addiction Recovery Advocates (CCARA) coming together to converge at the Capitol to show the public and policymakers that recovery does happen and treatment works!”
– Pete Nielsen, President & CEO of CCAPP

https://recoveryhappens.info/

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