Follow these food safety tips on Thanksgiving

NORWALK — Ahead of Thanksgiving, Huron County Public Health encouraged people to not save a seat at the table for food poisoning. "There are simple measures you can take to prevent food poisoning at holiday gatherings," according to an agency statement. With help from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, here are some important food safety suggestions to prevent food poisoning during the holidays: • Wash your hands before, during and after food preparation • Cook food thoroughly by using a thermometer to ensure meat, seafood and eggs have been cooked to a proper temperature • Keep foods separated by storing eggs in their original cartons and keep meat and seafood stored in plastic containers or sealed plastic bags to prevent food juices from these items leaking onto other foods • Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold; This will help to prevent the growth of germs on perishable food items such as meat, seafood, eggs, cut fruit and dairy products. Primary symptoms of food poisoning include diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting or fever. "Contact your primary care provider if symptoms become severe such as bloody diarrhea; high fever with a temperature over 102 degrees; vomiting so frequently that you cannot keep liquids down; and dehydration. View more information about food poisoning symptoms and when to know if it is an emergency at cdc.gov/foodsafety/index.html.