CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If you are responsible for cooking Thanksgiving dinner, there are some things you need to do to keep everyone safe.

The Centers for Disease Control states a rise in food poisoning cases during the November and December holidays.

Here are the proper ways to get that turkey ready.

OUR SOURCES:

Tara-Rose Groberski, an expert on the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line

Carrie Watson, the trauma medical director at Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, S.C.

USDA

FDA

WHAT WE FOUND:

When it comes to thawing your turkey, that needs to start days before Thanksgiving. Groberski said it takes about 24 hours for every four pounds of turkey to thaw in the fridge.

If you haven’t yet defrosted your turkey, Groberski said you can use cold water, which takes an hour for every two p

See Full Page