Don’t Be a Turkey: 10 Thanksgiving Meal Mishaps to Avoid

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with beloved family and friends. It’s not meant to involve a trip to the ER or a call to the fire department, but those events are unfortunately part of the holiday for many. Here are 10 ways to keep yourself and your guests safe.

Watch out for cross-contamination (raw meat and poultry). Use two separate sets of cutting boards and knives: one for raw meats and one for other foods. If raw meat juices leak or spill onto the counter, clean them up immediately. Use soap and water to clean and disinfect, and a paper towel to dry the counter when you’re done. If you must use a cloth towel, throw it into the wash right away.
Watch out for cross-contamination (food allergies). If any of your guests are allergic to anything you’re cooking, take extreme care and notify them about the problematic dish or ingredient. Better yet, try to find a safe substitute.
Wash your hands often. Wash your hands well before you prepare food, after you prepare food and frequently throughout the process. Take special care to clean your hands after handling raw meat or eggs.
Sharpen your knives. Sharp knives are safer than dull knives because they’re less likely to skid and slip as you’re using them. Keep all knives away from children.
Do your deep-frying outside. If you deep-fry your turkey, do it outside or in an open garage or shed. Give yourself plenty of space around the deep fryer. Keep children and pets away, and make sure the bird is fully thawed and dry before cooking. This will help minimize spattering. Also, have a fire extinguisher handy just in case.
Turn pot handles in. It can be easy to accidentally bump a simmering pot, especially in a bustling kitchen.
Keep your cooking surface clear. Kitchen towels and potholders can ignite quickly if they accidentally make contact with a burner.
Replace your smoke detector batteries before the holiday season. Also, make sure you have a working fire extinguisher in your kitchen within easy reach.
Consider candle alternatives. Tall tapers look lovely, but it’s easy for guests to knock them over on a crowded holiday table.
Be aware of cooking times and temps. There’s a lot going on at Thanksgiving, but make sure food doesn’t sit out too long either before or after the meal. Bacteria can grow when cold foods get too warm or hot foods get too cool. According to the USDA, the “danger zone” is between 40°F and 140°F. Ice packs and hot plates can help keep dishes in the proper temperature range.

Stay safe and enjoy your celebration — Happy Thanksgiving!

This content is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing professional, financial, medical or legal advice. You should contact your licensed professional to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.

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