In case of emergency, please call 9-1-1. 

Don’t be a turkey and stay ahead of the carve while celebrating Thanksgiving this year!

While Thanksgiving is traditionally a great holiday where family and friends gather, this year, traveling and large gatherings are highly discouraged by the CDC. Instead, try some safer alternatives.

If you’re enjoying a Thanksgiving meal, avoid large, indoor gatherings, especially with guests who don’t live with you. Consider these options:

• ENJOY a small, intimate dinner with household members
• ENJOY a virtual dinner with friends and family
• ENJOY preparing delicious Thanksgiving food and sharing with friends and neighbors though contactless delivery

Did you know you can recycle your holiday cooking grease? Grease and other fats can be incredibly damaging to residential plumbing and sewer systems if it’s not properly disposed of. Luckily, the City of Tempe offers various drop-off locations for residents to recycle cooking grease. For more information, visit Tempe’s Turkey Grease page!
 

While you may traditionally travel home or expect guests from far, it’s recommended this year to stay home and celebrate with those you live with. However, if you are traveling, please remember to:

• Check travel restrictions
• Get your flu shot before you go
• Always wear a mask
• Practice physical distancing
• Wash your hands often
• Bring extra supplies, like face coverings and hand sanitizer
  
  

Thanksgiving parades are always fun but attending or participating in them physically is a high risk activity according to the CDC. Avoid crowded parades and races and instead try to:

• ENJOY watching parades, sporting events, movies, etc. virtually
• ENJOY visiting uncrowded, outdoor events with the proper safety precautions
  
  

With Thanksgiving comes Black Friday, lots of deals and long lines! Shopping during this season always draws crowds and that can be dangerous. Avoid shopping in crowded stores and lines and instead opt for online shopping and curbside pickup.

To learn about which activities are lower and higher risk, visit the CDC’s Holiday Celebration page. For more information about CDC recommendations for Thanksgiving, visit their Thanksgiving page. Or watch a video from the director of the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Whatever your holiday plans are, remember that Maricopa County and the City of Tempe require mandatory mask wearing in places of public accommodation and spaces were physical distancing cannot be maintained. Also note that according to an executive order, gatherings of 50 or more people are prohibited without prior approval from local authorities. 

The City of Tempe wishes you a fun and safe Thanksgiving! Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving cooking tips 

Did you know Thanksgiving Day is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment?  Click here for more safety tips.

About 65 percent of all residential fires are related to the kitchen. More injuries occur in the kitchen than any other room in the home. Get tips on staying safe in your kitchen year-round.

Most people know someone like the Vacation movie's Clark Griswold, a lovable, well-intentioned yet accident-prone person who wants to put up more holiday lights than anyone else, cook the biggest turkey or  have the biggest bonfire. Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department has created a series of safety videos specifically for that Clark in your life, including one on deep frying your holiday turkey.  Watch it. 

Do not ever attempt to deep-fry a frozen turkey. It can cause an explosion and burn anyone near the deep fryer. Give yourself enough time to properly thaw your turkey: According to the USDA, here are guidelines for thawing a whole turkey in the refrigerator:

• 4 to 12 pounds: one to three days
• 12 to 16 pounds: three to four days
• 16 to 20 pounds: four to five days
• 20 to 24 pounds: five to six days

Cooking a turkey overnight at a low temperature can cause Salmonella. Leaving it on the counter or in the garage is also not as safe as it is not possible to regulate the temperature of the turkey. Get more of food safety tips. 

Got your turkey at the last minute? Don't worry. Here's how to thaw it quickly using your microwave:

• Check your owner’s manual for the minutes per pound and the power level to use for thawing, but on average, it takes about 60-90 minutes
• Remove all outside wrapping from the turkey
• Place the turkey on a microwave-safe dish to catch any juices that might leak
• Cook your turkey immediately after thawing in the microwave
• Do not refreeze it until it is completely cooked  

Safe Eating: Your turkey is ready when the thickest part of the meat reaches 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer to check. Then, enjoy!