For families who settled for smaller gatherings and remote blessings during the height of the pandemic, this Thanksgiving looks like the return of the big bash.
, with the American Automobile Association predicting holiday travel will be nearly back to prepandemic levels.
If that鈥檚 the case at your house, or remembered which cousins shouldn鈥檛 sit together.
To help you brush up on the holiday basics, here are some tips to keep everyone safe, healthy and sane:
FIRST, THE TURKEY
The big bird is the center of most Thanksgiving meals, but it鈥檚 important to handle raw poultry properly to avoid spreading bacteria that can send your guests home with an unwanted side of food poisoning. Thaw safely. A frozen turkey needs about 24 hours to thaw for every 4 to 5 pounds of weight, according to the Agriculture Department. In a pinch, it can be thawed in a cold water bath or even a microwave, but it must be cooked immediately if you use those methods. It's a bad idea to rinse it in the sink, a practice that can spread potentially dangerous germs like salmonella to nearby areas, said Jennifer Quinlan, a Drexel University nutrition sciences professor who has studied . Instead, pat the turkey dry with paper towels and plop it in the roasting pan.
COOK THOROUGHLY, REFRIGERATE PROMPTLY
The best way to make sure your turkey is fully cooked, to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, is to use a meat thermometer, said Lisa Shelley, who researches food safety at North Carolina State University. Don鈥檛 rely on golden-brown skin or the color of the turkey juices. Once the turkey is served, be sure to refrigerate it and all the other leftovers 鈥 mashed potatoes, gravy, yams 鈥 within two hours. 鈥淩eally, set a timer when you put everything out,鈥 suggested Quinlan. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l be surprised at how fast two hours goes.鈥
And don't skimp on the cleanup. Wash your hands before preparing food and after touching raw poultry. But make sure to consider the counters, the cutting boards and any tools that may be contaminated, too, said Shelley. Clean with soap and water, then sanitize with chlorine bleach. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a two-step process," she said.
DANGER ZONES
Certain holidays are known for specific injuries and Thanksgiving鈥檚 no exception, said Dr. Christopher Kang, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Carve carefully. Slicing a turkey is a lot harder than it looks, as Turkey Day injuries attest. 鈥淎lways, with any cutting and carving, we see a lot of hand injuries and finger injuries,鈥 said Kang, an ER doctor in Tacoma, Washington. Make sure the carving knife is sharp and never slice toward yourself, always away. Don鈥檛 put your hand under the blade to catch a slice of meat.
Beware, turkey fryer fires. Deep-fried turkey may sound delectable, but it鈥檚 a dangerous dish for home cooks to prepare. The fryers can tip over and spill -- and the combination of a frozen or not-quite-thawed turkey and hot oil can create an explosion. Even when that doesn鈥檛 happen, Kang said he鈥檚 seen plenty of painful scalding injuries caused by hot oil.
AVOID THE 鈥淭RIPLE-DEMIC鈥
Thanksgiving gatherings also kick off a spike in other ER visits as generations gather and swap germs. This year, , including an early flu season and RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, is a continuing worry, Kang said. Babies and young children are particularly vulnerable to some infections; older people are more susceptible to others. 鈥淲hat age group is not at risk?鈥 Kang said. To reduce the chances of infection and serious illness, make sure everyone eligible is up-to-date on vaccinations. Ask folks who have any symptoms of illness 鈥 even 鈥渁llergies鈥 or 鈥渏ust a cold鈥 鈥 to stay home. Consider asking guests to take a rapid COVID-19 test before they show up. Make sure your home is well-ventilated: Open windows, keep a portable air purifier running. To protect the most vulnerable guests, consider wearing masks indoors.
BE MINDFUL OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Hosting 鈥 or joining 鈥 a Thanksgiving holiday event after nearly three years of a tumultuous pandemic may be a challenge. It鈥檚 important to have realistic expectations 鈥 and to plan ahead to avoid familiar family pitfalls, according to the American Psychological Association. Take time for yourself. Despite the pressure of the holidays, don鈥檛 forgo your healthy routine. If you usually exercise, make time for a long walk, APA experts say: 鈥淩eflect on aspects of your life that give you joy.鈥 Set boundaries in advance. If you鈥檙e worried about conflicts or heated discussions at your holiday table, the APA suggests making sure every knows Thanksgiving is a time to focus on 鈥済ratitude, appreciation and all you have, including each other."
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute鈥檚 Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
