The state Department of Health is asking residents to be safe this Easter when preparing food, especially eggs.

Here are a list of tips the department issued:

• Always buy eggs from a refrigerated case. Choose eggs with clean, uncracked shells.

• Buy eggs before the expiration date on the carton

• Take eggs straight home from the grocery store and refrigerate them right away.

• Refrigerate eggs within two hours of cooking and use them within a week.

• If you plan to eat the Easter eggs you decorate, then be sure to use only food grade dye.

• Egg dishes such as deviled eggs or egg salad should be used within three to four days.