Family gatherings, travel, time with friends and special dinners are what makes the holidays the holidays! The Southern Nevada Health District is providing tips to keep you and your family safe this year. For additional information about how to celebrate safely.

COVID-19 Safety

Vaccination before Vacation can help protect everyone this holiday. Getting vaccinated is a key tool to protect against infection or serious illness with COVID-19. You can receive a flu vaccination at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. Both are available at Health District clinics, pharmacies, and health care provider offices throughout Southern Nevada. For a COVID vaccine clinic, visit: www.SNHD.info/covid-vaccine.

If holiday plans include travel, visit the CDC’s Travel page for recommendations. The CDC recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated. A mask mandate remains in effect for travel on all public transportation. This includes planes, trains and buses.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have an exposure to COVID-19, it is recommended that you get tested and do not travel, host or attend any gatherings.

Are you hosting Thanksgiving?

COVID-19 protections and food safety are key to a healthy celebration. Crowded indoor spaces pose a greater risk to anyone who is unvaccinated. Consider having dinner outside, if weather permits. Outdoor activities are safer especially if you have a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated guests. In addition, masks should be worn indoors by anyone who is not fully vaccinated.

There are several steps to prepare the bird safely! FoodSafety.gov has information from thawing to leftovers on its Preparing Your Holiday Turkey Safely page.

Storage:

• If you buy a fresh turkey, purchase it no more than two days in advance.
• A frozen turkey should be defrosted in the refrigerator and allow 24 hours to defrost for every four to five pounds. Never defrost a turkey on the kitchen counter.
• Keep the turkey in the original bag and make sure it is leak proof. Keep it in a container to prevent raw juices from contaminating other food in the fridge.
• If you thaw the turkey in a sink, it should be in a leak-proof bag. Put the wrapped turkey in cold tap water and change the water every 30 minutes until thawed. Cook it immediately.
• If you thaw the turkey in the microwave, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. A turkey thawed in the microwave must be cooked immediately after thawing.

Cooking:

• Turkey must reach a minimal internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or above to ensure safety.
• Use a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the turkey (the breast) to ensure the bird has reached the correct internal temperature (a stuffed turkey would require longer cooking times).

Leftovers

• Cut the leftovers into small pieces or slice them before storing them.
• Place leftovers in the refrigerator in shallow containers.
• Leftover turkey and stuffing should be used within four days (right through the long weekend) and reheated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or above. If frozen, leftovers can be enjoyed past the holiday.
• Discard any turkey, stuffing or gravy left out at room temperature longer than two hours or one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

From everyone at the Southern Nevada Health District, have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving!