LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) is sharing tips that can protect you and your family this year.

COVID-19 SECURITY

Travel, family reunions, time with friends, and special dinners are what make vacations the holidays, but the SNHD wants to remind people that getting vaccinated before these events can help protect everyone.

According to the SNHD, getting the vaccine is a key tool in protecting against infection or serious illness from COVID-19.

You can receive a flu shot at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine and both are available at health district clinics, pharmacies, and health care provider offices in southern Nevada.

For a COVID vaccination clinic, visit www.SNHD.info/covid-vaccin.

HOLIDAY TRAVEL PLANS?

The CDC recommends delaying the trip until you are fully immunized. A mask mandate remains in effect for travel on all public transport. This includes planes, trains and buses.

If vacation plans include travel, visit the CDC To travel recommendations page.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or are exposed to COVID-19, it is recommended that you get tested and that you do not travel, organize or attend gatherings.

ACCOMMODATION FOR THANKSGIVING?

COVID-19 protections and food safety are essential to a healthy celebration. Overcrowded indoor spaces pose a greater risk to anyone who is unvaccinated. Consider dining out, weather permitting, says SNHD.

The SNHD says outdoor activities are safer, especially if you have a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated guests. Additionally, NHD says the masks should be worn indoors by anyone who is not fully vaccinated.

FOOD PREPARATION AND STORAGE

There are several steps to prepare the bird safely!

Storing a fresh turkey:

• If you buy a fresh turkey, don’t buy it more than two days in advance.
• A frozen turkey should be thawed in the refrigerator and allowed to thaw 24 hours for every four to five pounds. Never thaw a turkey on the kitchen counter.
• Store the turkey in the original bag and make sure it is waterproof. Store it in a container to prevent raw juices from contaminating other foods in the refrigerator.
• If you are defrosting the turkey in a sink, it should be in an airtight bag. Put the wrapped turkey in cold tap water and change the water every 30 minutes until thawed. Cook it immediately.
• If you thaw the turkey in the microwave, follow the manufacturer’s directions. A turkey thawed in the microwave should be cooked immediately after thawing.

FoodSafety.gov has information of leftover thawing on its Preparing Your Holiday Turkey Safely page.

Cooking a turkey:

• Turkey must reach a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or higher to ensure safety.
• Use a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the turkey (the breast) to make sure the poultry has reached the correct internal temperature (a stuffed turkey would require longer cooking times).

Eat leftovers:

• Cut leftovers into small pieces or slice them before storing.
• Place leftovers in the refrigerator in shallow containers.
• Leftover turkey and stuffing should be used within four days (throughout the long weekend) and warmed to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If frozen, leftovers can be enjoyed after the holidays.
• Throw out any turkey, stuffing, or sauce left at room temperature for more than two hours or an hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

For more information on how to celebrate safely, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Holiday celebrations page.