Hop on these tips for a safer Easter egg hunt

While the chokable toys hidden within Kinder Surprise eggs may be one of the more obvious safety risks at this time of year, a bigger issue for many people may be the safe handling of real eggs. After all, unlike the chocolate Kinder eggs, real eggs are perfectly legal in the U.S., and are available in stores nationwide. In fact, over a billion eggs will be hunted on lawns around the country this season (according to the bunnies at Hallmark), making egg safety a major issue. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be, if you follow a few simple rules. Here are some tips for safe Easter egg coloring, hunting and eating, from the Food and Drug Administration:

• To prevent the spread of dirt and germs, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before handling eggs at every preparation step, including cooking, cooling, dyeing, and hiding. 
• Keep hard-cooked Easter eggs refrigerated until just before the hunt. Cold temperatures keep most harmful bacteria from multiplying. 
• Hide eggs in places that are protected from dirt, pets, and other potential sources of bacteria. 
• After the hunt, discard eggs that are cracked or dirty. Bacteria can enter eggs through cracks in the shell. 
• Rinse uncracked eggs, then place them back in the refrigerator until it's time to eat them. 
• Discard eggs or food left unrefrigerated for more than two hours. On a hot day (90°F or higher), reduce this time to one hour.

Previously: Candy racks may contain an unwelcome "Surprise"