--- title: Holiday Food Safety description: More food poisoning incidents occur during the holidays than any other time of the year. Keep your food safe this year by following these easy tips. image: https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/hub/356017/file-2066393811.jpg --- [![Florida Homeowners Insurance - Southern Oak Insurance](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1316105448-png/layout/logo.png)](http://southernoakins.com) [![](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1316105483-png/layout/btn_agent_login.png)](https://soi.policyport.com/wps/portal/soiagent/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3hnd0cPE3MfAwODQBMjAyM3Z29njwBfIwMLU_2CbEdFAMOiBOg!/) [![](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1316105478-png/layout/btn_become_agent.png)](http://info.southernoakins.com/florida-homeowners-insurance-agency-appointment-request) [![Facebook](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1321650047-png/layout/btn_facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/SouthernOakIns) [![Twitter](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1321630027-png/layout/btn_twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/SouthernOakIns) [![LinkedIn](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1321410970-png/layout/btn_linkedin.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-oak-insurance-co) [![Demotech](http://southernoakins.com/wp-content/themes/SouthernInsurance/images/logo_demotech_header.png)](http://www.demotech.com/search_results_fsr.aspx?id=12247&t=2) Call us Today at 877.900.3971 - [Home](http://southernoak.com/) - [About](http://southernoak.com/about-us/) - [Meet the Team](http://southernoak.com/about-us/meet-the-team/) - [Safety Tips](http://southernoak.com/about-us/safety-tips/) - [Policyholder Blog](http://southernoak.com/policyholder-blog/) - [Community](http://southernoak.com/community/) - [Agent Blog](https://blog.southernoak.com) - [Family Emergency Plan](https://info.southernoak.com/free-family-emergency-plan) - [Home Inventory Checklist](https://info.southernoak.com/free-home-inventory-checklist) - [Watch Our Commercial](https://info.southernoak.com/florida_homeowners_insurance_commercial) - [Why Southern Oak?](http://southernoak.com/why-southern-oak/) - [Why More Families Choose Southern Oak](http://southernoak.com/why-more-families-choose-southern-oak/) - [Why More Agents Choose Southern Oak](http://southernoak.com/why-more-agents-choose-southern-oak/) - [Policy Types](http://southernoak.com/policy-types/) - [Homeowner’s Insurance](http://southernoak.com/policy-types/homeowners-insurance/) - [Renter’s Insurance](http://southernoak.com/policy-types/renters-insurance/) - [Rental Dwelling Property Insurance](http://southernoak.com/policy-types/rental-dwelling-property-insurance/) - [Condo Unit Owners Insurance](http://southernoak.com/policy-types/condo-owners-insurance/) - [Policy Add-Ons](http://southernoak.com/policy-types/policy-add-ons/) - [Contact](http://southernoak.com/contact-us/) - [Southern Oak Marketing](http://southernoakmarketing.com/) ![img_main_blog.jpg](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1322220752-jpg/layout/img_main_blog.jpg?width=694&name=img_main_blog.jpg "img_main_blog.jpg") # [Holiday Food Safety](https://blog.southernoak.com/holiday-food-safety) Nov 12, 2014 12:38:56 PM | Posted by [The Southern Oak Team](https://blog.southernoak.com/author/the-southern-oak-team) | Category: [Home Safety](https://blog.southernoak.com/topic/home-safety) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) It's no secret that food poisoning incidents spike during the holidays. But that doesn't mean your family should be one of those statistics this season.  Keep these tips in mind for happy holiday dining.[![Holiday_Food_Safety-blog_picture](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/hub/356017/file-2066393811.jpg?width=350&name=file-2066393811.jpg)](https://southernoakins.hs-sites.com/holiday-food-safety-tip-sheet)  **The Sink**: Wash your hands with hot water and soap for at least 30 seconds before and after handling any food **Sponges**: Sponges are known for harboring bacteria.  Eliminate or limit their use. **Counter Tops**: Wash food-contact surfaces with hot soapy water after preparing each food item. **Cutting Boards**: Use only 1 cutting board for foods that will be cooked, and another for foods that will not. **Turkey Temps**: The proper temperature for a turkey is important. Use a thermometer to make sure meat is thoroughly cooked: 180 degrees for Turkey and 165 degrees for the stuffing. **Freezers:** Properly defrost frozen items in the refrigerator, under cold running water, or in the microwave...never at room temperature. **Refrigerator**: Make sure your refrigerator is set at 40 degrees or less. **Questionble Food**: Don't taste food that looks questionable.  When in doubt, throw it out. **Serving Temps:** Keep hot foods above 140 degrees and put leftovers in the refrigerator as quickly as possible.  The "Danger Zone" for bacteria growth is between 140 and 40 degrees. **Leftovers**: Leftovers should be used within 3 to 4 days unless frozen. **Sauces**: Bring sauces and gravies to a rolling boil when reheating. **Egg Nog:** When making your own eggnog, use only pasteurized shell eggs, liquid or frozen pasteurized egg products, or powdered egg whites to avoid salmonella. This season, while you're in the kitchen, at the table, or on the couch, make sure everything your family eats is safe and delicious! *Make sure the rest of your house is safe for guests of all ages.  Download our House Guest Hazards Tip Sheet: * [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/356017/d29ffc1e-8c2c-4a2d-a6c5-0fc7da39fbd6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/356017/d29ffc1e-8c2c-4a2d-a6c5-0fc7da39fbd6)   [![](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1317411786-png/layout/btn_find_agent.png)](http://southernoakins.com/find-an-agent/) Get a quote **fast** using our **simple** online form. It only takes a few minutes to complete and get your quote. [![](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1317421821-png/layout/btn_start_now.png)](http://southernoakins.com/get-an-instant-quote/) ## POLICYHOLDERS [![](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1321830207-png/layout/mysouthernoak.png)](https://tivasoi.bipt.com/insured-web/start/soi/login?execution=e1s1)MySouthernOak offers convenient, online services for members to: - [View Policy & Billing Information](https://tivasoi.bipt.com/insured-web/start/soi/login?execution=e1s1) - [Edit Personal Information](https://tivasoi.bipt.com/insured-web/start/soi/login?execution=e1s1) - [Make a Premium Payment](https://tivasoi.bipt.com/insured-web/start/soi/login?execution=e1s1) [![](http://southernoakins.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Family-Emergency-Plan-CTA.jpg)](http://info.southernoakins.com/free-family-emergency-plan) ### Recent Posts [![Florida Homeowners Insurance Southern Oak](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1321925472-png/layout/logo_my_fla.png)](http://www.myflorida.com) [![Southern oak Insurance FEMA](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1316380623-png/layout/logo_fema.png)](http://www.fema.gov) [![Best homeowners insurance](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1316380628-png/layout/logo_fhcf.png)](http://www.sbafla.com/fhcf/) [![NOAA homeowners insurance florida](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1316385688-png/layout/logo_noaa.png)](http://www.noaa.gov) [![home insurance florida southern oak insurance](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1316385693-png/layout/logo_red_cross.png)](http://www.redcross.org/fl/jacksonville) [About Us](http://southernoakins.com/about-us/) | [Why Southern Oak?](http://southernoakins.com/why-southern-oak/) | [Policy Types](http://southernoakins.com/policy-types/) | [Community](http://southernoakins.com/community/) | [Contact Us](http://southernoakins.com/contact-us/) | [Privacy Policy](http://southernoakins.com/privacy-policy/) © Southern Oak Insurance Company 2014. All rights reserved. **[MySouthernOak](https://soi.policyport.com/insured-web/start/soi/login?execution=e1s1) | [Find an Agent](http://southernoakins.com/find-an-agent/) | [Get an Instant Quote](http://southernoakins.com/get-an-instant-quote/)**