Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear.   I’m Fred Fishkin.    Thanksgiving week…and if you are among the many getting ready to cook a turkey for the holiday…the USDA is offering help…online, by phone, by email…even through social media.   The concern…is food safety…and USDA expert Meredith Carothers says there are common mistakes that can lead to illness.   She advises don’t thaw a turkey on a counter or at room temperature..

“You really want to be thawing your turkey in the refrigerator or using the cold water method…something that’s going to keep it at a safe temperature throughout that time frame.  Another thing that people don’t do correctly is take the temperature of the turkey, the internal temperature using a food thermometer.  A food thermometer is the only way to tell for sure if a turkey has reached a safe internal temperature which means all of that food borne illness bacteria has been killed.”

And she advises….get the leftovers into the fridge within two hours.  For more info…head to www.fsis.usda.gov.   And have a great holiday.

You can find us at Techstination.com.   I’m Fred Fishkin.