Thanksgiving Safety Tips to Enjoy 'Turkey Day'

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means millions of families throughout the country will come together to enjoy good food and good company.

Don't Deep-Fry Your Turkey

No matter how mouth-watering it sounds, you should avoid deep-frying your turkey. Deep-frying is simply too dangerous and not worth the risk of injury and/or property damage. According to the National Fire Protection Association, deep-fryers cause more than $15 million in property damage per year, most of which occurs on Thanksgiving.

Do NOT Thaw Before Cooking

You should also avoid thawing your turkey before cooking it. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says this can lead to food-borne illness -- something that no one wants to experience during the holidays. Rather than thawing your turkey, go ahead and cook it while frozen. It may take longer to cook, but it minimizes the risk of food-borne illness.

Check Temperature of Stuffing

Even if you cook your turkey correctly, you should still check the internal temperature of the stuffing to ensure it's fully cooked and not raw. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it's best to check the stuffing with a thermometer, making sure it reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If it's below this temperature, illness-causing bacteria may survive; thus, increasing the risk of food poisoning.

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Nov 9th 2016

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