-- —
Every year, emergency rooms treat burns from cooking fires and firefighters have to be called to put out fires caused by turkey fryers.
It’s a good time to review some safety measures to make sure you and your loved ones have a safe Thanksgiving holiday that doesn’t get spoiled by food borne illness, unsafe cooking practices, or a lack of preparation.
• If you cook dishes a day or so ahead, be sure to refrigerate them. And never leave cooked food out for more than two hours after a meal, especially if it contains mayonnaise.
• Don’t allow small children in the kitchen when you’re cooking and never hold a small child while cooking. Stovetops, knobs and pan handles are irresistible to curious little hands, and oil or grease in a pan can splatter. Adults might feel a sting but for a small child, it could cause a serious burn.
• Only use turkey fryers outdoors, away from the house, the garage, or any overhangs. Don’t leave it unattended as the oil can combust if it gets too hot and can catch fire. Make sure the turkey is completely defrosted as the excess water mixed with the hot oil can also catch fire. And if it does, don’t try to throw water on a grease fire. Use a fire extinguisher and call 911.
• When defrosting a turkey, the safest practice is a slow thaw in the refrigerator, figuring out 24 hours for every five pounds. A 20-pound turkey would take four days to thaw, so plan accordingly.
• Clean out the innards from the turkey before cooking or stuffing. And don’t forget to check the neck cavity too.
• Never stuff a turkey the night before, even if you refrigerate it. Either cook the stuffing separately or stuff right before placing the bird in the oven.
If you plan well, you can keep your family and yourself safe from hazards and enjoy a happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
What We Think
Safety tips for Thanksgiving holiday
- What We Think
-
-
Tornado: An aftermath of help
Seeing the massive path of destruction left in the wake of tornadoes in Oklahoma Monday was a sobering reminder of the power of spring storms.
-
Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
-
Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
-
On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
-
Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
-
Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
-
Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
-
Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
-
Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To mail workers, volunteers and food bank staff for gathering food for the annual Stamp Out Hunger postal food drive today. A plastic bag designated for canned goods and other non-perishable food items should have arrived in your mailbox earlier this week. If you haven’t already, take a few moments to fill the bag with food and hang from your mailbox. If you didn’t receive the special Stamp Out Hunger bag, any plastic bag filled with food will do. This food drive helps feed thousands of South Georgians annually. Valdosta-Lowndes County often donates more food than nearly all other cities and counties in Georgia.
-
Celebrating nurses
She is considered the founder of modern nursing so it seems only natural that National Nurses Week would include Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
- More What We Think Headlines
-
Tornado: An aftermath of help
