Thanksgiving is a holiday that brings friends and family together to share a good meal, conversation, and laughter. The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially at Thanksgiving. Take a few minutes to review these Thanksgiving Day kitchen safety tips, and enjoy the holiday without worry.
Food preparation safety is important, especially on Thanksgiving Day
– Wash your hands with soap and water before you start any food preparation.
– Make sure working areas and surfaces, utensils and plates are also clean.
– Use separate cutting or chopping boards for meats and for fruits and vegetables; avoid putting cooked food on cutting boards that have touched raw food.
– Avoid wiping your hands that have touched raw food with a dish towel.
– Keep raw food away from vegetables and side dishes that will not be cooked.
– Stuffing the turkey is not recommended. Cook the stuffing separately.
– Use a food thermometer. You can’t tell if the turkey is cooked simply by looking
– Check to make sure every part of the turkey reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 F, even if your turkey has a pop-up temperature indicator. Check the innermost part of the thigh and wing, and the thickest part of the breast.
– Let turkey stand for 20 minutes before carving to allow juices to set.
– Stuffing should also reach a minimum temperature of 165 F.
– Any dish containing eggs should be cooked to reach an internal temperature of 160 F.
– Use a separate clean spoon whenever tasting food from the pot. Do not use spoon for stirring to taste.
Keep these general safety tips in mind whenever you cook up a feast
– Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
– Stay in the home when cooking and check on the food frequently.
– Keep potholders and food wrappers at least three feet away from heat sources while cooking
– Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks, or bags.
– Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
– Wear tighter fitting clothing with shorter sleeves when cooking
– Make sure all stoves, ovens, and ranges have been turned off when you leave the kitchen
– Set timers to keep track of turkeys and other food items that require extended cooking times
– Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
– Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy, or coffee could cause serious burns.
– Turn handles of pots and pans on the stove inward to avoid accidents.
– Follow all manufacturer guidelines regarding the appropriate use of appliances
As a holiday cook and host, keep the safety of your guests uppermost in your mind. Follow these safety tips and have a joyous Thanksgiving for all!
View and download the safety message on PDF here.
