Safety tips for Thanksgiving Published Nov. 15, 2016 21st Space Wing Safety Office PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- With all the activity and excitement of family and friends visiting during Thanksgiving, we want to remind Airmen and their families to be safe during the holiday festivities. One of the inevitable tasks during the holidays is cooking. There is nothing like preparing a big feast. However, it is not uncommon for food to be left out for hours to snack on, which may pose a health risk. For safe holiday food, follow some simple tips: -Thawing a frozen turkey: Don’t thaw it on the kitchen counter. Instead, thaw it in the refrigerator or microwave. -Snacking: Snacking from a turkey or ham is fine, but don’t leave meat out longer than two hours. Store it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh longer. -Leftovers: To speed cooling, remove the bones and refrigerate the turkey in a small, shallow container. -Cooking: Don’t cook turkeys overnight at low temperatures. Cook at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking at low temperatures can actually help bacteria grow. -Desserts: Refrigerate pies made with eggs, such as key lime or lemon meringue. -Eggnog: Don’t use a raw egg recipe. Use commercially prepared, pasteurized eggnog or make your own with a cooked custard base. Have a safe and fun holiday. By following some of these simple kitchen tips, you can eat healthy and prevent foodborne illness.