Thanksgiving Food Safety Tips

Thanksgiving Fire Prevention Tips

It would not be Thanksgiving without all of that good old Southern-style home cooking. Whether you have been cooking the big meal for years or are new to the kitchen this Thanksgiving, being cautious about fire prevention is the smart thing to do. Kitchen fires are common, especially over the holidays. The American Red Cross recommends following these safety tips to prevent Thanksgiving fires:

• Stay in the kitchen while food is cooking, and set a timer to remind you that the stove or oven is on
• Enforce a kid-free cooking zone three feet away from all hot surfaces
• Keep tea towels, oven mitts, and plastic or wood spoons away from burners or flames
• Clean surfaces frequently to prevent grease build up
• Make sure you have a fire extinguisher on hand and have the number for the local fire department in case of an emergency
• Always check to make sure the stove or oven is turned off before going to bed

Before Thanksgiving, it is a good idea to make sure you have fire alarms installed in every floor and in all sleeping areas. Check and make sure they are functioning properly, and replace batteries as needed.

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Talking Turkey

Now that we have gone over fire safety tips, let us take a minute to talk about the turkey. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are four main safety issues to think about when preparing a turkey:

1. Thawing Safety: Turkeys may be thawed in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave, but it is important to keep the bird at a safe temperature during thawing.
2. Preparation Safety: Raw poultry contains bacteria that can make you sick. Be careful to thoroughly clean all surfaces and avoid cross contamination.
3. Stuffing Safety: The safest method of cooking stuffing is outside of the turkey. If you do put the stuffing in the bird, make sure you do so right before cooking instead of ahead of time. Cook stuffing in the bird completely to eliminate any harmful bacteria.
4. Cooking Safety: Be sure your turkey is completely thawed before cooking, and cook it to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees to ensure doneness.

Reach Out to an Attorney for Help

If you have a loved one has suffered an injury as the result of someone’s reckless or negligent behavior, contact Anastopoulo Law Firm today. Our experienced South Carolina personal injury attorneys can help you to protect your loved ones and recover damages to help pay for your injuries. Have a safe and happy holiday season and remember that we are here when you need us. Give us a call!