Make sure you get that festive bird to the proper core temperature and keep your surfaces clean as you prepare your Thanksgiving dinner.

That is the message from the University of Illinois Extension's Caitlin Mellendorf. She is a nutrition expert and explains there are three different spots you want to check when cooking your turkey.

Mellendorf says it is very important to have food safety on the mind when preparing your food. While food poisoning is not much of a concern during Thanksgiving, she says to keep those hands washed as we are in the cold and flu season.

Pressure cooker and quick cook appliances are becoming increasingly popular in the kitchen these days and Mellendorf says those can be a great resource for preparing dishes if you have limited oven space in your home.

While there are many ways to prepare a turkey, Mellendorf says it is important you not serve that bird until it has reached the proper temperature according to USDA standards.

The USDA's turkey hotline will be available through Thanksgiving Day. The USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline number is 888-MPHOTLINE(888-674-5463) or you can go online to AsKaren.gov