10 Safety Tips While Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and you are already preparing for your dinner. As you plan the perfect menu, make safety your first priority to avoid any unpleasant situations. Here are some tips to help you make the most out of Thanksgiving Day, even if you spend the day in the kitchen:
Keep children out of the kitchen – The smells of freshly baked cookies and pies will make kids want to stay in the kitchen most of the day. However, while cooking get your children away from hot pots and stoves. If there is another adult in the house maybe they can play games in the living room or watch a movie or two.
Keep pets out of the kitchen – While cooking the Thanksgiving dinner consider finding a pet sitter for the day if possible. This way they can get the attention they need and you can freely focus on your cooking without worrying about your dog or cat pulling something off the table.
Check your smoke detectors – We don’t want to think the worse, but this day is very busy as guests arrive, children may distract you and plus you have to cook more than usual. By making sure your smoke detectors work properly you can catch that fire quickly before you have a lot of damage on your hands. You should also have a fire extinguisher handy at all times. If you don’t have one in your kitchen make it a priority on your shopping list.
Use hot pads and gloves – Always have several gloves out on the counter so that it will be a constant reminder that you need to be extra careful with the hot pots and pans. You don’t want to get burned.
Set the timer – The timer is your best friend when cooking. By setting the timer it keeps you from burning food, wasting it and probably starting a fire. It is also a quick reminder to walk away from a guest who loves to talk and may distract you from your cooking.
Use the pressure cooker in the garage or outside – If you fry your turkey and use a pressure cooker or deep fryer, it will be best to do this outside to avoid any big mess in the kitchen. Of course, this can happen when the pressure cooker is not used properly.
Wait on the turkey to defrost – Don’t attempt to work with a frozen turkey as you can drop it on your feet. Wait for it to defrost first. Read the directions on the turkey and follow those instructions. Allow three to four days for it to thaw out. Of course, if you didn’t take the turkey out of the freezer until Thanksgiving Day, you should consider buying one already cooked.
Use thermometer – Always check the food to make sure is cooked to the right temperature before serving it to your guests. Plan ahead to make sure you have enough time to cook the turkey before dinner time.
Don’t wear your best clothes while cooking – If you are cooking while your guests are there and you want to look nice, make sure to wear an apron and no long sleeves. This way you keep yourself clean and safe.
Cover your head or pull hair back – This is probably not a very convenient thing to do, especially if you spent two hours in the mirror fixing your hair. However, you want your guests to have a pleasant experience and come back.
There is nothing better than a successful Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends enjoying your cooking. Remember to plan ahead and ask for help if you need it, as most people will be there for you.
