The Santa Rita Fire Department Thanksgiving Safety Guide covers several key areas to ensure a safe holiday experience:
1. General Holiday Safety:
• Driving: Thanksgiving is one of the deadliest holidays for traffic accidents. Ensure your car is winter-ready, plan ahead for delays, and avoid driving under the influence.
• Home Safety: Make sure entryways are well-lit and clear of clutter to prevent falls, especially for elderly guests. Fix wobbly steps and railings and secure rugs to prevent slipping.
2. Meal Preparation Safety:
• Turkey Safety: Raw turkey is a common cause of foodborne illness. Wash hands thoroughly before, during, and after handling food; clean surfaces with soap and sanitizer; and avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards. Cook turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F, checking in multiple spots. Never thaw turkey at room temperature.
• Stuffing Safety: Only stuff the turkey immediately before cooking to prevent bacterial growth. Loosely packed stuffing increases cooking time by 50%.
• Leftovers: Store leftovers in shallow containers and refrigerate for up to four days or freeze for two to four months.
3. Kitchen and Fire Safety:
• Fire Prevention: Cooking causes over 50% of home fires. Always have an adult supervising the kitchen while cooking. Keep children and pets out of the kitchen unless supervised.
• Turkey Fryer Risks: Turkey fryers can cause serious fires and explosions. Use them with extreme caution, following safety guidelines.
The ASPCA reminds us there are certain human foods that are toxic to pets and should be avoided. Click on www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets for a list of people foods to avoid feeding your pets.