Give thanks and avoid food poisoning.

The upcoming holiday is the No. 1 day for food-borne illnesses, said Karen Grush, DeKalb County Health Department’s public health administrator.

While most NIU students will not be cooking Thanksgiving dinner, they can still be invaluable kitchen know-it-alls by using these basic guidelines from the DeKalb County Health Department and U.S. Department of Agriculture:

Wash all surfaces and equipment raw meat has been in contact with.

Buy a food thermometer and use it.

Turkeys should be cooked at 325 degrees or higher.

Always check the turkey’s temperature by sticking a thermometer in the thickest part of the bird. Turkeys are “done” when the food thermometer reads 180 degrees.

Stuffing, if cooked inside the bird, should be 160 degrees.

Refrigerate foods containing eggs and dairy, including pumpkin pies, after they are prepared.

Above all else, wash your hands.

If all else fails, call the Butterball Talk Line: 1-800-323-4848.

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