10 Tips for a Safe Thanksgiving

10 Tips for a Safe Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is a great holiday and everyone looks forward to it as it brings family and friends together to share a great dinner together. However Thanksgiving is also associated with some health and fire hazards that can spoil the Thanksgiving fun. Here are 10 cooking safety tips for cooking Thanksgiving dinner without incident. 1. According to the US Fire Administration there are more than 4000 fires on Thanksgiving day alone. Therefore you must take adequate care to prevent one when cooking your Thanksgiving dinner. While grilling or frying you must remain in the kitchen and if you have to leave it for some reason then ask someone to be there and watch the food cooking inside. Whenever you are baking, simmering, broiling, roasting or baking make sure to use the timer and conduct kitchen checks. 2. Keep the cooking area clean and free of easily combustible items like food packaging, drapes, towels, food wrappers and potholders. They should be kept at least 3 feet away from the oven, stove or other hot surface. 3. Avoid wearing loose clothes or ones with long sleeves while you are cooking Thanksgiving dinner. 4. It is preferable to keep children away from the cooking area, especially the younger ones. If at all they enter the kitchen or come near the cooking area they remain at least three feet away. 5. NFPA discourages the use of outdoor gas-fueled turkey fryers that immerse the turkey in hot oil. These turkey fryers use a substantial quantity of cooking oil at high temperatures, and units currently available for home use pose a significant danger that hot oil will be released at some point during the cooking process. The use of turkey fryers by consumers can lead to devastating burns, other injuries and the destruction of property. Those who prefer fried turkey to seek out professional establishments, such as grocery stores, specialty food retailers, and restaurants for the preparation of the dish, or consider a new type of "oil-less" turkey fryer." 6. Turkey cooking safety begins with defrosting it either by thawing it in water, if the packaging is waterproof, by changing the water frequently, or you can do the defrosting in the microwave. Follow the manufacturer's directions for doing it correctly. 7. Thoroughly read and exactly follow the cooking directions given on the label of your turkey. It is not safe to cook the turkey overnight at low temperatures. Make sure that it is thoroughly cooked at 165°F. Even if the turkey comes with a popup thermometer you must check the temperature with a meat thermometer at the thickest parts of breast and the innermost portion of the wing and thigh. 8. To avoid cross contamination you should thoroughly clean any cutting boards, knives, dish towel, sink and countertop with hot soapy water solution. 9. Cook the stuffing separately in a casserole. To flavor and moisten the stuffing you can use some pan juice. 10. It is not only humans who face hazards during cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Dogs and other pet should be prevented from getting into or near the cooking area. .

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