Tips for Cooking Your Thanksgiving Turkey Safely

By Jamie Shapiro | November 13, 2018 | Comments Off on Tips for Cooking Your Thanksgiving Turkey Safely

Thanksgiving is a time to look forward to many things. You get to enjoy friends and family, relive traditions you have cherished for years, and make new memories. For most people a central part of the celebration is the turkey. If you are hosting the feast this year, it is important to keep food safety issues in mind so your entire family can savor the delicious food while also avoiding the potential dangers of foodborne illness and infection. For a family caregiver this is especially important as older adults are more vulnerable to these infections and illnesses than younger people.

Elder Care in Glenview IL: Turkey and Food Safety

Elder Care in Glenview IL: Turkey and Food Safety

Use these tips to cook your Thanksgiving turkey safely:

  • Keep the turkey refrigerated or in cold water until you are ready to cook.
  • Always use separate surfaces and utensils when dealing with raw turkey, and do not touch the cooked turkey with these once it is done.
  • Do not cook the turkey with stuffing inside it. This can lead to foodborne pathogens growing inside the stuffing as it is unlikely the stuffing will reach the desired temperature by the time the turkey is finished roasting. If your family insists on the presentation of the stuffing inside the turkey, cook the dish as dressing in a baking dish, then transfer the fully cooked food into the turkey for the last 10 minutes of cooking.
  • Do not rely on the white or white and red popper in the turkey to dictate when it is done. These are rarely accurate. The only effective way of checking the turkey for safe cooking temperature is to use a meat thermometer throughout the cooking process. The thermometer should be in the thickest part of the breast, away from the bone. Cook until it reads 165 degrees, and then check the thickest part of the wing and thigh for the same temperature.
  • Do not look for the juices to run clear to dictate when the turkey is done. Rely on the thermometer only.

 

Utilizing home care over the holiday season can be one of the best ways to not only simplify your caregiver efforts, but also enjoy the season more. An in-home senior care services provider is a dedicated supplement to the care you already give. This care provider acts as an extra set of hands, a caring companion, a form of safe transportation, and a source of support in managing personal care needs and beyond. With these services available, your aging loved one can enjoy greater independence and participate in the holiday season as much as is right for them, and you can experience less stress and a more ability to focus your energy and attention effectively.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in Glenview, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

 

Source

https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/events/thanksgiving/index.html

Jamie Shapiro
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Posted in Elder Care in Glenview IL, Senior Safety and tagged