The only thing that can ruin your Thanksgiving more than burning the turkey is an illness or injury. Although Thanksgiving is meant to be enjoyable, having too many cooks in the kitchen can put everyone at risk. Here are a few simple ways to keep your friends and family safe this Turkey Day.

• Never leave children unattended in the kitchen. With so many things on the stove and in the oven, it is far too dangerous for little ones to wander around.
• Thaw meat completely to prevent foodborne illnesses. Because the turkey is so large it requires more than one full day to thaw completely, so be sure to provide ample time for thawing before you cook it.
• Wash hands after handling raw meat or stuffing the turkey.
• Check the internal temperature of the turkey after cooking to ensure that it is cooked completely through. The bird should be around 180 degrees F inside, and the stuffing should be around 165 degrees F.
• Always point knives away from you when cutting, and be sure to use a very sharp knife that doesn’t require much force to cut food.
• Clean grease from countertops and stovetops in order to prevent grease fires. This also goes for towels with grease on them.
• Keep a first aid kit in the kitchen. You never know what can happen, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Thanksgiving Safety [National Fire Protection Association]
It's Turkey Time: Safely Prepare Your Holiday Meal [CDC]
Cooking Safety Tips for Thanksgiving Chefs [American Red Cross]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Didriks

Holley’s Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar is a Houston favorite that offers a delicious selection of seafood prepared by some of the most renowned chefs in town. The resulting menu is fresh, modern, and creative, making this a standout eatery that locals adore. Holley’s menu features seafood dishes inspired not only by classic Texan cooking, but also by cuisines found throughout New Orleans, Kentucky Bourbon country, and along the eastern shoreline. A well-curated wine list rounds out the offerings here.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a place for a great dinner in town, Holley’s stylish ambiance and urban feel is sure to fit the bill. There is a business casual dress code throughout the elegant dining room, but if you’re looking for something a bit more laid-back, the attached oyster bar has a casual ambiance that still feels really special.

Holley’s
3201 Louisiana Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 491-2222
www.holleyshouston.com

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Fluff Bake Bar is a cute, local bakery that creates some of the most in-demand sweets in Houston, offering a creative take on classic desserts like cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, and the namesake fluffernutters. Order a custom cake for a birthday or wedding from this stylish sweet shop and you’ll find a very large assortment of icing styles, cake flavors, and artistic designs to go on top. For a smaller, individual-sized cake, the shop’s cupcakes come in unique flavors like black velvet, Veruca Salt, and PB&J, and they’re even available by the dozen if you want to share with friends.

Fluff Bake Bar’s delicious delicacies are available at many popular coffee shops and cafes around town, but if you want the full experience, stop in to see the sights (and smells) at the stylish, welcoming bakery.

Fluff Bake Bar is open Tuesdays through Thursdays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to midnight, and Sundays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Fluff Bake Bar
314 Gray Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 522-1900
www.fluffbakebar.com

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr m01229