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It’s that time of year again where we gather with friends and families and stuff our faces until we just can’t anymore! We want you to enjoy Thanksgiving but also stay safe. If you’re cooking tomorrow, these are things you MUST be aware of!
1. FIRE PREVENTION
Did you know, reported on the National Fire Prevention Association website, that on “turkey day,” kitchen fires happen three times as much as they do during a typical day. To prevent fires, the NFPA suggests that people cooking should never leave food cooking unattended, use a timer, wear short sleeves, and more.
2. FRYING A TURKEY
Deep fried turkeys taste delicious but are very dangerous to make, if not done properly. Never place a frozen turkey in HOT oil, the bird should be thawed out. The fryer should be in an outside open space and not in a garage of a house. If a fire does break out, NEVER pour water on it, it’ll cause the flames to spread. The best way to handle it is to call 9-1-1.
3. DON’T WASH TURKEY BEFORE YOU COOK IT
If you don’t want to be sick this Thanksgiving, people from the CDC are warning people to not wash their turkey. Reported on health reports they say you should avoid washing your turkey before you cook it. It also notes that rinsing it in a sink can spread harmful bacteria around the sink, countertops, and other surfaces. It’s super important to wash not only your hands but the countertops as well. We all know when poultry isn’t properly cleaned or cooked, the effects are BAD!
4. THAWING OUT A TURKEY
Thawing out a turkey can be a hassle but you want to make sure you do it correctly. According to FoodSafety.gov, refrigerator thawing is the safest method. You can also thaw it out by putting it in cold water, or in some cases the microwave! It’s never safe to thaw a turkey out on your countertop, garage, or in your dishwasher. If you’re worried your turkey won’t be thawed out in time for dinner, the article reports you can cook it frozen, it’ll just take longer.
5. GETTIN RID OF HOT OIL
Fats and oils aren’t just bad for our arteries, they’re also bad for sinks and sewers! After cooking and there is hot oil/grease left, you should never pour it down the sink or else it can get clogged and damage the sewer system.
6. TRAVEL
Traveling on Thanksgiving will be hectic so if you can try to plan your trip ahead. Triple AAA expects 54.3 Americans to be traveling this holiday. If you do have to travel on the day of, leave early. Most important of all, travel safe!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!