Graphic and content courtesy of FDA.gov

Parties, family dinners, and gatherings with food are aspects of holiday celebrations. However, the enjoyment can turn into discomfort if food causes illness.

Common symptoms of foodborne illness, or food poisoning, include vomiting, diarrhea, and flu-like symptoms, which may appear anywhere from hours to days after ingesting contaminated food or drinks.

Typically, these symptoms are short-lived in healthy individuals, lasting a few hours or days, and usually resolve without medical treatment. Nevertheless, foodborne illness can be serious and potentially life-threatening, particularly for those at higher risk:

• older adults
• infants and young children
• pregnant women
• people with diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, or any condition that weakens their immune system
• people who take medicines that suppress the immune system; for example, some medicines for lupus, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis

The good news is that practicing four basic food safety measures can help prevent foodborne illness.

1. Clean

The first rule of safe food preparation in the home is to keep everything clean.

• Wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before and after handling any food. To help you remember, it takes about 20 seconds to sing "Happy Birthday" two times.
• Wash food-contact surfaces (cutting boards, dishes, utensils, countertops) with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item and before going on to the next item.
• Rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly under cool running water and use a produce brush to remove surface dirt.
• Do not rinse raw meat and poultry before cooking. Washing these foods makes it more likely for bacteria to spread to areas around the sink and countertops.

2. Separate

Don't give bacteria the opportunity to spread from one food to another (cross-contamination).

• Keep raw eggs, meat, poultry, seafood, and their juices away from foods that won't be cooked. Take this precaution while shopping in the store, when storing in the refrigerator at home, and while preparing meals.
• Consider using one cutting board only for foods that will be cooked (such as raw meat, poultry, and seafood) and another one for foods that will not be cooked (such as raw fruits and vegetables).
• Keep fruits and vegetables that will be eaten raw separate from other foods such as raw meat, poultry or seafood — and from kitchen utensils used for those products.
• Do not put cooked meat or other food that is ready to eat on an unwashed plate that has held any raw eggs, meat, poultry, seafood, or their juices.

3. Cook

Food is safely cooked when it reaches a high enough internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria.

• Color is not a reliable indicator of doneness. Use a food thermometer to make sure meat, poultry, and fish are cooked to a safe internal temperature. To check a turkey for safety, insert a food thermometer into the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. The turkey is safe when the temperature reaches 165ºF. If the turkey is stuffed, the temperature of the stuffing should be 165ºF.
• Bring sauces, soups, and gravies to a rolling boil when reheating.
• Cook eggs until the yolk and white are firm. When making your own eggnog or other recipe calling for raw eggs, use pasteurized shell eggs, liquid or frozen pasteurized egg products, or powdered egg whites.
• Don't eat uncooked cookie dough, which may contain raw eggs and raw flour. 

4. Chill

Refrigerate foods quickly because harmful bacteria grow rapidly at room temperature.

• Refrigerate leftovers and takeout foods — and any type of food that should be refrigerated — within two hours. 
• Set your refrigerator at or below 40ºF and the freezer at 0ºF. Check both periodically with an appliance thermometer.
• Never defrost food at room temperature. Food can be defrosted safely in the refrigerator, under cold running water, or in the microwave. Food thawed in cold water or in the microwave should be cooked immediately.
• Allow the correct amount of time to properly thaw food. For example, a 20-pound turkey needs four to five days to thaw completely when thawed in the refrigerator.
• Leftovers should be used within three to four days. 

For more information, visit our Holiday Food Safety for Home Cooks webpage.

As the holiday season approaches, large gatherings, travel, and increased indoor activities may contribute to the spread of viruses. However, there are measures available to help maintain health during this time spent with family, friends, and neighbors.

Make sure you're up to date on vaccines. Crowded airports and family gatherings can facilitate the spread of illness. Recommended vaccines can help prevent the spread of germs during the holidays. If traveling internationally, consult with your pediatrician to determine if your child requires additional vaccines or preventive medications.

Planning a holiday road trip? Pack warm blankets, safety flashers, drinking water, extra snacks and first-aid supplies. These items will help keep everyone comfortable in case of delays due to engine or tire issues. If a child requires an inhaler or other medications for breathing emergencies or seizures, include these in the medical kit. Consider having spare phone charger to make sure you can contact police, emergency services and loved ones waiting for you.

Practice good hygiene. Frequently wash your hands, avoid close contact with sick individuals, and wear a mask in crowded or high-risk settings, particularly when traveling with infants or immunocompromised individuals who cannot be vaccinated.

Stay informed. Before traveling, check local health department websites for the latest information on outbreaks at your destination.

Taking these precautions can help keep you and others safe and healthy. Simple steps before and during your trip can significantly reduce the risk during outbreaks.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics 

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness follows the child and adolescent vaccine schedule recommended by the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The hepatitis B vaccine is an important recommended vaccine for infants to receive within 24 hours at birth. 

Why do babies need the hepatitis B vaccine?

Hepatitis B is a virus that can damage the liver and lead to lifelong health problems.

Newborns need the hepatitis B vaccine soon after birth because they could be unknowingly exposed to the virus during labor or shortly after coming home. Other family members or caregivers can unintentionally give hepatitis B to them. People often don’t know they are infected with the virus because they may look and feel healthy. In the United States, 1 in 2 infected people are unaware that they are infected.

Children infected at birth and in early childhood are much more likely to get chronic hepatitis B than adults. The majority (90%) of infants infected at birth develop chronic hepatitis. One in four people infected with hepatitis B virus during childhood die from liver cirrhosis or liver cancer in later life. That's why babies benefit most when they get the vaccine early, during the first 24 hours of life.

How does the vaccine help infants?

As soon as they’re born, babies’ immune systems are ready to learn.  When they receive the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within their first 24 hours, the vaccine teaches their immune system how to recognize and resist the virus faster than the virus can multiply and cause disease. The first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine protects newborns from possible exposures during delivery and the first few days of life. Testing for hepatitis B during pregnancy or delivery can be helpful, but sometimes results aren’t ready in time, or the test may miss an infection.

Giving hepatitis B vaccine shortly after birth also provides a safety net for babies whose family members may not know they are infected with hepatitis B and could transmit infection in the home. Hepatitis B virus can live for about seven days on contaminated surfaces.

How many doses of the vaccine do infants need to have lifelong protection from hepatitis B?

Babies get a second dose of hepatitis B vaccine when they are 1 month to 2 months old and the third dose when they are 6 months to 18 months old.

After babies complete all their doses, most have long-term protection from hepatitis B infection and the liver damage it can cause.

Hepatitis B in Kentucky

In 2023, the incidence of new hepatitis B infections in Kentucky were 2.7 times higher than the national average, and Kentucky ranked 3rd for new hepatitis B infections compared to all other states.

Historically, only vaccinating babies born to parents known to have hepatitis B has not been sufficient to prevent perinatal and early childhood transmission. Nearly 15% of pregnant women in Kentucky do not receive adequate prenatal care and the Vaccine Integrity Project reports that up to 18% of pregnant women do not receive the recommended hepatitis B screening and only 35% of women who test positive receive all recommended follow-up care.

Hepatitis B vaccines are covered by private insurance, Medicaid, and the Kentucky Vaccines for Children program.

You can read more about the hepatitis B vaccine for infants here.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, Kentucky Department for Public Health

🎨 Now Accepting Applications! Louisville Metro Council and Louisville Visual Art are calling for local artists to submit original two-dimensional works for the 8th annual Art in City Hall exhibition! Selected artists will have their work displayed throughout historic City Hall from February 2026–January 2027 and receive a $500 honorarium.

🔗 Apply by January 12, 2026: https://form.jotform.com/233044869578167

📄 More info: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/art-city-hall-2026-2027

The Global Louisville Leadership Academy (GLLA) is now accepting applications for its 2026 cohort. This free leadership training program, sponsored by the Louisville Metro Office for Immigrant Affairs, equips community leaders with the knowledge and networks to advocate for and support their communities. Participants will learn about city government, civic engagement, and leadership while building strong connections with local institutions. Deadline is January 9

Submit Your Application

It's time again for the Anti-Racism Challenge!

We can't think of a better time to recommit to justice than January 2026! 

Anti-Racism Challenge (ARC) begins January 2nd. The free 4-Week Challenge works in much the same way as a food challenge or lifestyle challenge: by regularly participating in anti-racism activities, we naturally develop better habits of noticing and challenging racism in our daily lives. Each week, participants will receive a free email with a list of 12 antiracism activities, such as read an article, view a documentary, contact an elected official, etc; we ask that you complete 3. It’s individual, you don’t report to anyone. Learn more and sign up here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kXPcuQm

The Kentucky Arts Council and Kentucky Center for African American Heritage (KCAAH) have teamed up to provide even greater exposure for Celebrating the Black Experience.  After its initial showing at KCAAH, the exhibit will travel throughout the state to several additional communities through December 2026. During the application process, artists will choose whether or not they would like their work to be included in the traveling exhibit.

There is a call for artists for the 5^th Annual Celebrating the Black Experience Exhibit. Artists interested can submit applications online at Call for Artists Form - Kentucky Center for African American Heritage

Application deadline is January 23. Art for consideration will reflect diverse environments and traditions that contribute to the fabric of the Black experience. 

Cultural Pass provides free access to many of Greater Louisville’s arts and culture institutions for youth ages 0-21. Arts and culture 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations offering arts and/or culture programming during the summer, with a primary place of business in the service region, are encouraged to register.

More Information Here

United Crescent Hill Ministries (UCHM) is looking for volunteers and donations to support our Food Pantry and 60+ Adult Program.

Volunteer: Help stock the food pantry, do data entry, or spend time with our 60+ program.

🥫 Donate: We especially need canned foods with pop-top lids, canned meats, ready-to-eat pasta, and hygiene products.

Additional Food Pantry Needs:

Use of our pantry has surged, and with SNAP benefits not renewing for many neighbors next week, we expect even more visitors. Here’s how you can help right now:

Most-Needed Items: Canned meat, canned fruits/vegetables (pop-tops preferred) shelf-stable boxed milk, sugar, flour, jelly, coffee and tea, rice, pasta, pasta sauce, cooking oil, salt, pepper, basic spices, dish soap and period products.

Please Avoid: Expired or opened food.

Drop off items Mon–Thurs, 9 AM–3 PM at UCHM, 150 S. State Street, Louisville.

Louisville, KY 40206

Give online: https://www.uchmlouky.org/get-involved/give/

Learn more: uchmlouky.org

Together, we’re building compassionate community one neighbor at a time.

Thank you for the incredible support you’ve shown to our community this year. Your generosity and encouragement help us continue serving our neighbors through our programs and services—and we’re truly grateful. We wish you and your loved ones a happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year!

If you’d like to support UCHM with an end-of-year tax-deductible donation, you can give here: [https://www.uchmlouky.org/get-involved/give/]

🌍 Become a kNOw Waste Ambassador and help Louisville lead the way toward a cleaner, greener future!

The kNOw Waste ambassador program is your chance to learn practical skills, share knowledge, and inspire positive change in your community. Through a free training course and hands-on volunteer and education opportunities, you’ll gain the tools to reduce waste, promote recycling, and educate others about sustainable living.

♻️ Learn. Lead. Make an impact in your community!

👉 Apply here: https://louisvilleky.wufoo.com/forms/z4lmlaf0jb3tbj/

Solid Waste Management Services will pause yard waste collection beginning the week of January 19. Regular curbside pickup will resume the week of March 23.

During this temporary suspension, all Jefferson County residents may bring their bundled yard waste to the Waste Reduction Center, located at 636 Meriwether Ave., where it can be dropped off free of charge. 

This seasonal adjustment allows the Solid Waste team to use time and resources more efficiently while significantly less yard waste is generated during the winter months.

Key details

• Collection paused: Week of January 19
• Collection resumes: Week of March 23
• Free drop-off location: Waste Reduction Center, 636 Meriwether Ave. 

Solid Waste Management Services appreciates the community's cooperation and commitment to keeping our city clean and sustainable. 

Holiday closings

Our three staffed recycling locations, Waste Reduction Center, and the Haz Bin will be closed on December 24, 25 and January 1. 

Holiday delays

There will be no residential waste collection in the Urban Services District on Thursday, December 25 or Thursday, January 1. All services will be on a one-day delay. 

Residents normally serviced by private waste haulers should check with those companies for holiday collection schedules. 

As temperatures drop, the Louisville Metro Department of Transportation is pausing paving operations for the winter season. Cold weather and moisture prevent asphalt from bonding and curing correctly, which can lead to weak pavement and shorter roadway life.

By waiting for warmer, more stable conditions in the spring, our crews can ensure that new pavement is durable, long-lasting, and safe for everyone who travels our streets.

We appreciate the community’s patience and look forward to resuming paving work as soon as weather conditions allow.

Ms Merry is an incredibly sweet (okay but when she’s done with you, she’s done, move on to the next cat head to pet). She’s also pretty chubby- so much so that our vet recommends getting her down about 5lbs ASAP! She came to us with dreads on her back end, likely because she couldn’t keep up with her coat because of the..thickness.

Merry’s ready to spend her days doing a few mins of cardo mixed with a whole lot of breaks- can you keep up?

Meet Merry at Animal House, no adoption fee thanks to @Friends of Metro Animal Services

Visit Animal House today! | 3516 Newburg Rd, Louisville, KY | Open daily noon–6pm

This is Collard Greens the dog, not the side dish though he will stick to your side like Grandma's Sunday dinner!! 3 years old, Neutered + Certified Lover Boy™

His hobbies include: Hanging out of car windows like a golden retriever in a rom-com. (He literally climbs from the back seat to catch the breeze. The man is dedicated.)

Following his human around the house like he’s on a secret mission.

Starting beef with the neighborhood squirrels. THUG squirrels. CHAOTIC squirrels. He doesn’t care.

Telling every dog he sees, “HEY BESTIE!!!” at maximum excitement levels.

Being a sweet, playful, insanely adorable lover boy with freckles that should tbh.. should have their own Instagram account.

Collard Greens wants what every dog wants: to feel safe, to be loved, and to exist in peace (preferably while riding shotgun with the windows down).

He’s silly, he’s sweet, he’s got beautiful eyes, and he is SO ready for his people.

Meet Collard Greens TODAY! With NO adoption fee thanks to Friends of Metro Animal Services

Visit Animal House today!  | 3516 Newburg Rd, Louisville, KY  | pen daily noon–6pm

Visit our landing page for more info: linktree.com/yourcityshelter

Dogs over 40 pounds are always FREE. Adoptions include spay/neuter, up-to-date shots, one free training session with Micky's House, one year free membership @ PG&Js dog park, and more!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from The Dot Experience. We can’t wait to share all the exciting news and updates as we lead up to opening in October 2026.