By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, and that means turkey dinners with all the trimmings are on the minds of many. What may not be on their minds is safe food preparation to help eliminate contaminating the foods with bacteria and viruses.

Donnie Simmons, environmental health director with the Livingston County Public Health Department, said that the most important thing is washing your hands correctly.

“You shouldn’t be using that cloth towel that’s hanging on the stove or whatever continually all day long. Whatever bacteria or whatever that’s still on your hands will be picked up on that cloth towel and all you’ll do is re-contaminate your hands with whatever bacteria is on that towel. People will wipe their hands off with it that haven’t even washed them. So, proper hand washing is soap, warm water and a paper towel,” Simmons said.

The community forum with Simmons is available at here, where he talks about the different potential outbreaks that may result from incorrect food preparation and sanitation.