Turkey Day Tip #19: Keeping all those leftovers SAFE! 
To help keep Turkey Day guests and their leftovers safe, here are four key rules to remember:
Rule #1: Refrigerate or freeze prepared foods, leftovers, and other perishables within two hours of preparation or purchase. If your guests are going to be delayed for a short time, keep hot foods in the oven, checking the internal temperature to be sure it stays at least 140°F.
Rule #2:Be sure your refrigerator is set at 40°F. Harmful food borne organisms can grow if temperatures are kept above 40°F.
Rule #3: If you freeze leftovers, never attempt to thaw them at room temperature. Instead, place them in the refrigerator. You can also use a microwave to thaw and reheat food more quickly if it will be consumed right away.
Rule #4: When storing leftover foods, get the temperature of the food down rapidly to discourage any type of bacterial growth. Separate large amounts of leftovers into smaller containers, as this will allow for more rapid cooling of the foods once they are placed in the refrigerator. It is okay to place hot food directly in the refrigerator, provided large quantities of food are divided into shallow containers for quicker cooling.
