Turkeys, stuffing dishes, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pies will soon be piled onto dinner plates for annual Thanksgiving meals, but have they been prepared safely? Jason Taylor, food safety specials with Washington County Environmental Health, spoke with KCII News and provided a few tips for those preparing meals. When thawing a turkey, Taylor recommends doing so in the refrigerator. They can also be thawed under cold running water.

Taylor adds the turkeys should not be washed off once they are taken out of the bag. Doing so can throw any bacteria on the bird into the entire kitchen, then contaminating other surfaces.

Taylor reminds those who are in the kitchen to wash their hands before handling any food and each time you switch which dish you are preparing.