Thanksgiving is one of the best times of year to get together with friends and family, eat great food and spend some time watching football or hanging out. However, it can also be a time for some kitchen blunders that can result in some issues! As an insurance company, you can reach out to your customers to help remind them to avoid some of these common Thanksgiving mishaps. But, if they do, they can reach out for issues that insurance covers. From turkey troubles and improperly cooked foods, to kitchen fires, learn about some of the top Thanksgiving mistakes to avoid explained by insurance claims adjusters!
Turkey Troubles
Being responsible for the Thanksgiving turkey can be quite the task. But, if directions are followed, it will be a success! One of the most common mistakes made is not allowing enough time for the turkey to thaw. Since turkeys are large, they need more than a night to thaw. A great rule of thumb explained in the seven mistakes to avoid when cooking a turkey is to allow at least 24 hours for each five pounds the turkey weighs. When cooking, you want to be sure you do not roast at a temperature that is too high. Stay in the 475 to 500 range and use a thermometer to periodically check it. Once it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees, you will want to take it out.
Improperly Cooked Food
Internal food temperature is important to ensure the safety of your food. Foods that are not cooked to temperature are considered in the “Danger Zone.†These are temperatures that are between 40 to 140 degrees. Internal temperatures range. Turkey and chicken must be cooked to 165 degrees, while most types of beef only need to be cooked to 145 degrees. When leaving food out, it needs to stay warm. Two hours is your max time that food can be left out before it hits the danger zone. As you are cooking, make sure you are washing your hands as you switch preparing different foods. This will help to avoid cross contamination. Also, any time you touch raw meat, always wash your hands before moving on to another task.
Kitchen Fires and Issues
Thanksgiving is also a common time for kitchen fires. This is something to help remind your customers to avoid! First, cooking should not ever be left unattended. Even just a few seconds away can lead to issues. Another common mishap is leaving items too close to the flame that also catch fire. It can be easy with many moving pieces, so always be vigilant. Make sure a fire extinguisher is close by in case of emergency.
If you find that you have an influx of calls each year around Thanksgiving, Aspen Claims Service is here to help. We provide additional assistance to adjust claims to help you best serve your customers! Learn more about The Aspen Difference and call us at 888-819-5904 today to see how we can help your insurance company.
