Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy time with loved ones, and of course, food. But the cooking-centric holiday also presents many opportunities for mishaps in the kitchen. Some cooking mistakes have more dire consequences than others — a dry turkey may taste terrible,

FILE – A grill-roasted brined turkey is presented on a table in Concord, N.H. Turkey is the center of most Thanksgiving meals, but it’s important to handle raw poultry properly to avoid spreading bacteria that can send your guests home with an unwanted side of food poisoning.

For those preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving with family, friends and festive food, the Illinois Department of Public Health has released tips for staying healthy and safe during the holiday. The department’s guidance outlines two main threats that could put a damper on holiday festivities: food poisoning and airborne viruses.

Make sure to refrigerate dense foods like sliced turkey, cooked sweet potatoes or gravy in shallow containers to help them cool down fast. Schaffner’s recent research showed that foods cooled in containers at a depth of no more than 2 inches posed little risk of growing dangerous germs.

For those preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving with family, friends and festive food, the Illinois Department of Public Health has released tips for staying healthy and safe during the holiday. The department’s guidance outlines two main threats that could put a damper on holiday festivities: food poisoning and airborne viruses.

Ready or not, the holidays are here. It’s a time when many Americans accustomed to preparing simple meals find themselves responsible for safely serving multi-dish feasts.