1. Washing the Turkey

According to a recent survey of more than 3,000 U.S. adults by the Water Quality and Health Council, 62% of people wash their birds in the sink—but rinsing the turkey can do some serious harm. The U.S. Department of Agriculture notes that when you wash a turkey, the juices that splash off the skin transfer bacteria to surrounding surfaces, utensils, and even food, causing cross-contamination which can make people very ill. The agency says that it’s “virtually impossible to wash bacteria off the bird,” and recommends thoroughly washing your hands for 20 seconds with warm, soapy water—before and after handling—instead. If your raw turkey or its juices do come in contact with items in your kitchen, make sure to promptly clean and sanitize those areas.

2. Storing on the Top Shelf

Whether your turkey is fresh or frozen, at some point, it will likely need to go in the refrigerator. However, you shouldn’t place the bird just anywhere. The best area to store a turkey is on the bottom shelf, and according to the Water Quality and Health Council’s survey, 55% of respondents were unaware of this fact. The problem with putting a turkey on a higher shelf is that the juices, which are full of bacteria, can drip down and contaminate other food. Store it low where it can’t drip on other food and place raw turkey in a baking dish with sides to catch leaks (especially if you’re defrosting your turkey in the fridge for several days).

3. Not Taking the Temperature

4. Forgetting About Leftovers

Perhaps the best part about large holiday meals is all the leftovers, but if you’re not putting away the leftover turkey promptly, you could be spoiling all the extra food. The Water Quality and Health Council’s survey found 26% of people leave their turkey out for three or more hours before storing the uneaten meat. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bacteria starts to grow on poultry about two hours after it’s cooked, so make sure you’re putting away the leftovers before then. Although there are dangers to improperly preparing a turkey, as long as you follow these simple tips, your bird will be both delicious and safe.