Ryerson University Experts Offer Tips on How to Safely Prep a Turkey and How to Shop Securely
Safely Handling and Preparing a Turkey
1. Thaw your frozen turkey two to three days ahead of time in the refrigerator.2. Clean any surfaces that come in contact with the turkey or its juices with hot, soapy water and sanitize with a chlorine bleach solution (one teaspoon of bleach in four litres of water).3. Utensils can be cleaned in a dishwasher or with the chlorine solution.4. Always wash your hands after handling raw turkey.5. Use a meat thermometer to monitor cooking. Insert it in the centre of the thickest part of the bird.6. If there is stuffing inside, measure the temperature of the stuffing instead.7. The temperature should read at least 82°C for 15 seconds before the bird is ready to serve.8. Stuffing prepared on the stove top is preferable because stuffing inside the bird creates a larger mass to cook.9. After eating, take the remaining meat off the bird and store in a shallow container in the refrigerator. Don't put an entire carcass into the refrigerator; it won't cool down quickly enough.
Protecting Your Card and PIN
1. Before shopping this holiday season, check with your bank about its policies regarding fraud and refunds for purchases made on your credit/debit card.2. Make sure you are aware of what your bank requires from you to entitle you to reimbursement in the event of fraud.3. Never keep your PIN written down together with your card.4. Never lose sight of your card. In shopping centres packed full of holiday shoppers or at gas stations crowded with merrymakers filling up, fraud can occur in an instant.5. At the cash, ask to swipe your card yourself. Be wary of merchants that demand your card.6. Always physically cover the keypad when keying in your PIN.7. Beware of aborted transactions. Demand a slip for every swipe of your card. Using Gift Cards
1. Gift cards are cash on a card; losing them is like losing money, so protect them as you would cash.2. Gift cards do not have your personal information - you do not risk identity theft - but you will not get a replacement card.3. Gift cards should not have an expiry date - make sure you check with the retailer/mall before you use one or buy one as a gift for others.
Preventing Identity Theft
1. When holiday shopping online, avoid unknown merchants and deals that are too good to be true - they are scams.2. Never agree to send additional documents (such as a photocopy of your driver's licence) in order to complete a transaction.3. Never reply to or click on links in unsolicited e-mails. A simple click may open up your computer to identity theft.4. Remember that your bank or a company that does business with you will never contact you with requests for personal information 'out of the blue.'5. When in doubt: don't. If something seems remotely wrong then don't provide your personal information.6. Verify all requests by calling your bank/retailer at a customer service number you know, and talking with a live agent.
Experts available for interviews: Marilyn LeeProfessorSchool of Occupational and Public Health
Avner LevinProfessorTed Rogers School of Business ManagementDirector, Privacy and Cyber-Crime InstituteChair, Law and Business
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