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USDA FSIS offers tips and resources to make this Thanksgiving safe and stress-free

WASHINGTON, 2017-Nov-22 — /EPR Retail News/ — More than 45 million turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving Day, with a never-ending list of side dishes and desserts. The Thanksgiving meal is by far the largest and most stressful meal many consumers prepare all year, leaving room for mistakes that can make guests sick. But never fear, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is available with tips and resources to make this Thanksgiving safe and stress-free.

“Turkey and other meat and poultry may contain Salmonella and Campylobacter that can lead to serious foodborne illness,” said acting FSIS Administrator Paul Kiecker. “By properly handling and cooking your turkey, you can avoid these harmful pathogens and ensure your family has a safe and healthy Thanksgiving feast.”

Begin by following these five steps:

Wash your hands, but not your turkey

Washing your hands before cooking is the simplest way to stop the spread of bacteria, while washing your turkey is the easiest way to spread bacteria all over your kitchen. According to the 2016 Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Survey, 68 percent of consumers wash poultry in the kitchen sink, which is not recommended by the USDA. Research shows that washing meat or poultry can splash bacteria around your kitchen by up to 3 feet, contaminating countertops, towels and other food. Washing doesn’t remove bacteria from the bird. Only cooking the turkey to the correct internal temperature will ensure all bacteria are killed.

The exception to this rule is brining. When rinsing brine off of a turkey, be sure to remove all other food or objects from the sink, layer the area with paper towels and use a slow stream of water to avoid splashing.

To stuff or not to stuff

For optimal food safety, do not stuff the turkey. Even if the turkey is cooked to the correct internal temperature, the stuffing inside may not have reached a temperature high enough to kill the bacteria. It is best to cook the stuffing in a separate dish.

Take the temperature of the bird

Although there are various ways to cook a turkey, the only way to avoid foodborne illness is to make sure it is cooked to the correct internal temperature as measured by a food thermometer. Take the bird’s temperature in three areas — the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the wing and the innermost part of the thigh — make sure all three locations reach 165ºF. If one of those locations does not register at 165ºF, then continue cooking until all three locations reach the correct internal temperature.

Follow the two-hour rule

Perishable foods should not be left on the table or countertops for longer than two hours. After two hours, food falls into the Danger Zone, temperatures between 40-140ºF, where bacteria can rapidly multiply. If that food is then eaten, your guests could get sick. Cut turkey into smaller slices and refrigerate along with other perishable items, such as potatoes, gravy and vegetables. Leftovers should stay safe in the refrigerator for four days.

When in doubt call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline

If you have questions about your Thanksgiving dinner, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) to talk to a food safety expert. You can also chat live at AskKaren.gov, available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, in English and Spanish.

If you need help on Thanksgiving Day, the Meat and Poultry Hotline is available from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET.

Consumers with food safety questions can visit FoodSafety.gov to learn more about how to safely select, thaw and prepare a turkey. For more Thanksgiving food safety tips, follow FSIS on Twitter, @USDAFoodSafety, or on Facebook, at Facebook.com/FoodSafety.gov.

Contact:

Food Safety Education Staff
Press (202) 720-9113
Consumer Inquiries (888) 674-6854

Source: USDA

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PetSmart® offers tips for welcoming a new puppy home

84 Percent of U.S. Dog Owners Believe a New Puppy is More Exciting than a New Car*; Now is the Time to Get the Best Advice for Welcoming a New Puppy Home

PHOENIX, 2016-Dec-29 — /EPR Retail News/ — Nothing is more heartwarming than the first warm nuzzle from a new puppy, especially at the holidays. As a matter of fact, nearly half (46 percent) of dog owners have bought or adopted a puppy specifically around the holidays* and a stunning 51 percent of those who got a puppy at the holidays revealed they have also made a New Year’s resolution involving their puppy*.

To help new puppy parents welcome their pets home – and keep those New Year’s commitments – PetSmart, the largest pet specialty retailer across North America, and trusted partner to pet parents and pets, is here to help with expert advice including pet nutrition, socialization, new puppy essentials and pet healthcare.

“No matter the season, it’s always a moving and emotional experience when a puppy finds a new home,” said Eran Cohen, chief customer experience officer, PetSmart. “We at PetSmart love all pets and know they make us better people. Our passionate associates are available to help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they can live more fulfilled lives. For many families across the U.S., that journey started earlier this month with a new puppy arrival at the holidays — a true gift for all.”

The survey results show that puppy love and the trust we have for them is very real. Among millennials in the recent study, about 60 percent say they have told their puppy more secrets in their first year together than they have told to their significant other*. Even choosing the right name for a new puppy is a serious – but fun – business, with roughly half of those same survey respondents saying it was harder to agree on a puppy’s name than a child’s name*!

Once the New Year’s countdown is over, these tips on caring for a new puppy can help keep them happy and healthy for years to come:

ID Your Pet

New pets are still getting acclimated to their new home and with people in and out, it can be easy for them to slip out of a door. Be prepared in case they embark on an unplanned solo journey around the neighborhood. To ensure you are reunited with your pup, outfit them with proper ID, including a TagWorks® Personalized ID Tag and durable matching collar and leash.

Find a Veterinarian

A veterinarian should be your first call if your puppy gets into something that could potentially harm them. Vets are also great resources to keep you up-to-date on puppy care, like knowing when to vaccinate. Use the askPETMD app to find a veterinarian in your area. This free app is available now for iOS and Android devices at the Apple App and Google Play stores.

Pup-Proof Your Home

Dogs love to chew, whether it’s on shoes or something more dangerous like wiring and extension cords. To protect them and promote positive chewing experiences, use toys or treats to occupy their time and allow them to chew safely, such as a Nylabone® Puppy Bone Starter Toy Kit and a durable KONG® Puppy Toy. Keeping toxins away from puppies is critical too, so place household products like trash, laundry detergent and cleaning supplies out of their reach.

Give Puppies their Own Space

According to the recent Wakefield and PetSmart survey*, 47 percent of U.S. dog owners let their puppy sleep in the bed with them seven nights per week*. But, when it’s time for puppies to rest on their own, create a space for them to nap and feel safe. A puppy crate like this one can do double duty, providing puppies their own area away from stressors and as a structure that promotes potty training. A warm and cozy “cave pet bed” is a great refuge for pups to rest and snuggle too.

Give Your Pup Time to Say Hi

Socialization is critical during a pup’s early years. While everyone may be ready to meet the new member of your family, consider introducing them to one or two people at a time, so the puppy can get to know them and warm up to their scent.

Research Puppy Nutrition

It may be tempting to feed a puppy human food, but they require specially formulated puppy food and often have different eating schedules than an adult dog. Do your research, read labels and ask questions of the experts. Consider Simply Nourish™, Blue Buffalo® or Only Natural Pet®, leading natural pet lifestyle brands, which offer such formulas as Puppy Power Feast food, as well as lots of great pet treats.

Invest in Training

Consistent training is an important responsibility of a puppy parent. Dogs crave love and praise and a properly trained pooch will better understand what’s expected of him or her and will be happy to showcase good behavior. Get help from puppy training experts to ensure all human family members and the new pup to live happily in one harmonious pack.

Use the PetSmart Pet Lifestyle Mobile App

Perfect for the on-the-go pet lifestyle, PetSmart’s new mobile app can assist new pet parents with tips and content. Pet parents can register and create a pet profile for their new pup, and get tailored content that can help guide pet parents through the first months with a new puppy. The app provides checklists and guidelines for scheduling vaccinations, alerts to train a puppy, suggestions on food choices, and even provides tips on what kind of items you might need during the various stages of a puppy’s growth and development. The new app is available now for iOS and Android devices for free at the Apple App and Google Play stores.

Consider Pet Adoption

For those looking to get a new pet, consider pet adoption. As a gift to those who saved a life through adoption (no matter where they choose to adopt their pet**), PetSmart offers its free Adoption Kit, which provides useful content on how to integrate a pet into the family while offering true value – with more than $450 in real savings – to the adoption parent. Included are coupons for a free bag of dog or cat food from Simply Nourish™, Authority® or Good Natured™, a free veterinarian visit, a complimentary private training session with an accredited trainer, a free Doggie Day Camp session and a free overnight boarding stay, as well as half-off on a grooming service. Also included are savings on all the essentials for a new pet, including beds, crates, gates, brushes, feeding bowls, collars, leashes, toys and treats, as well as solutions like pet calming products and stain and odor remedies for any mishaps that may occur.

* According to a recent online survey of 1,000 dog owners in the U.S. and Canada commissioned by PetSmart and conducted by Wakefield Research.
** Adoption paperwork is required.

About PetSmart®

PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets, and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart’s passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities. We employ approximately 55,000 associates, operate approximately 1,500 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and 204 in-store PetSmart® PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities. PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and pet products and offers dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp day care services and pet adoption services in-store. Our portfolio of digital resources for pet parents – including PetSmart.com, PetFoodDirect.com, Pet360.com and petMD.com – offers the most comprehensive online pet supplies and pet care information in the U.S. Through our in-store pet adoption partnership with independent nonprofit organizations, PetSmart Charities® and PetSmart Charities™ of Canada, PetSmart helps to save the lives of more than 500,000 homeless pets each year.

Follow PetSmart on Twitter: @PetSmart
Find PetSmart on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PetSmart
See PetSmart on YouTube: www.YouTube.com/PetSmart

Contacts: 
Golin for PetSmart Inc.
Danielle Bickelmann
dbickelmann@golin.com
469.680.2503

PetSmart Media Line: 
623-587-2177

Source: PetSmart Inc.

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9 Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas to Trim Your Holiday Spending

NEW YORK, 2016-Dec-02 — /EPR Retail News/ — Here are a few alternative Christmas gift exchange ideas from Coupons.com savings and consumer trends expert Jeanette Pavini for you to create a fun experience while keeping your holiday spending in check. You can find even more ways to save on our Coupon Codes page and more savvy ideas on The Good Stuff!

  1. Pick a secret Santa. This game is a classic, but by only giving one gift to a family member, you can focus more on the gift-giving experience (and picking out something extra special) rather than spending money on several gifts that may or may not hit the mark. You can even up the ante by asking family members to leave secret notes and treats for the person whose name they’ve drawn leading up to December 25. Be sure to put a dollar limit on how much each person can spend on the final gift given on the holiday!
  1. Make a coupon book for family members. I love this idea because it’s personalized and can be a lot of fun depending on how creative you get! These coupons can be for “Making Your Bed for a Week,” “Doing the Dishes for 1 Week,” or “Letting You Pick the TV Show We Watch.” Choose simple things that can make other family member’s life a little easier or a little more fun!
  1. Set gift expectations early. It’s important to set gift expectation for kids early on. Let them know that even if they have a long wish list, only a few presents will show up under the tree. You can make this into a learning exercise by having your children prioritize which gifts they really want. Have them rate each gift idea by putting stickers next to them on the list, coloring in stars, or writing out why they want this particular gift more than others. You can also help your kids choose a couple toys they already have to donate to charity. This kind act makes room for a few new ones while teaching them about giving and sharing with others.
  1. Take a family trip or staycation. Instead of spending money on everyone’s presents, use the money for an outing. It can be as simple as a local trip — you’ll even find some good deals during the week between Christmas and New Year’s while the kids are still on vacation. Even if you just travel to a nearby town or a local park, it’s the act of getting away as a family. Too stressed to plan a family trip? Check out this list of easy family staycation ideas!
  1. Let your kids do the shopping. If they’re old enough, give your kids a set amount of cash, allow them time to search for deals and coupons, and then let them shop away for gifts for family.  The cash will help them learn the value of every dollar and how to stay within a set budget, plus most kids love the thrill of shopping on their own!
  1. Give back as a family. You can sponsor a family in need by making a donation through Heifer International. As a family you can provide a gift of a cow, goat, or chickens to a struggling family from another part of the world. You may also be able to sponsor a local family through your local Salvation Army, Families First, or even adopt a military family for the holidays through Soldiers’ Angels. It’s a wonderful way to feel the real meaning of the holidays and do something as a family!
  1. Trade favorite recipes. For extended family, have everyone make their favorite dish or dessert and attach hand-written recipe cards — one for every member of the family. Gather together for a family meal and swap recipe cards so everyone in the family can build their own family recipe book!
  1. Share a family photo collage. Photos are one of the least expensive and most treasured gifts, in my opinion, so why not build a family photo album together? Have each member of your family print up to 10 (or more if you like!) of their favorite photos from that year for each person in your family. (That would be six copies of each photo if you’re a family of six.) Then, share your memories while enjoying time together. You can also have each family member bring an empty photo album with them to fill with the photos they receive so they can look back on their wonderful holiday experience next year.
  1. Create a family gratitude journal. Grab a beautiful journal or inexpensive notebook and set it in a public place where every member of the family has access to it. Starting on January 1 or even as early as December 1, each person will write one thing they’re thankful for in the journal each day. In 2018, you can all look back on your thankful messages together!

 

By: Jeanette Pavini – Coupons.com

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PetSmart offer tips to help pet owners keep their best friends safe during severe weather

PHOENIX, 2016-Oct-06 — /EPR Retail News/ — According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Matthew roared ashore Haiti yesterday ( Oct. 5, 2016 ) as a Category Four Storm, putting the U.S. on alert for heavy rainfall and potential flooding along the East Coast. PetSmart and PetSmart Charities™ offer tips to help pet owners keep their best friends safe during severe weather.

“The best way to keep pets safe during a storm is to be prepared and have a disaster plan,” said Simon Starkey, DVM, one of PetSmart’s resident veterinarian and pet care experts. “It is common to overlook pets when preparing for a storm, but taking a few simple steps to include your pets’ needs in your family preparedness plan will help ensure they are comfortable and safe before, during and after a storm.”

Starkey suggests the following pet preparedness measures:

  • Ensure your pets are safely contained. When severe weather warnings go into effect, crate or kennel your animals. This is a good time to consider getting a pet carrier if you don’t already have one. These are easy solutions to keep your dog or cat contained and ready to travel at a moment’s notice. Also, have buckets on hand for fish and turtles in the event you need to transport them – this is a safer alternative than transporting these pets in glass bowls or aquariums.
  • Look for pet-friendly housing options for your pet should you need to evacuate your home. Ensure your pet is up-to-date on vaccinations, which are often needed for boarding, and that you have enough supply of any medication your pet may be taking.
  • Make sure your pet has identification. Countless pets go missing after storms. Proper ID on your pet is the best assurance you and your pet are reunited in the event you are separated.
  • Be aware of “paw-level” hazards post-storm. Sharp debris, toxic spilled chemicals, fertilizers and other substances on the floor of the home or ground outside may pose less risk to upright humans, but can be dangerous to ground-level pets.
  • Severe weather can be frightening to pets. Provide your dog or cat with a familiar toy or blanket or try aids like calming sprays, collars, chews, supplements or a ThunderShirt™ anxiety shirt to help ease anxiety.
  • Ensure you have a pet disaster supply kit ready for immediate departure. Create a kit including the following in an easy-to-carry waterproof container:
    • One-week supply of food and fresh water
    • Hard copies of each pet’s updated vaccination records
    • Extra supply of medication (if refrigeration is necessary, have easy access to a small, insulated bag or cooler)
    • First-Aid items such as antiseptic spray, antibacterial ointment and liquid bandage products, which are easy solutions that deliver quick first-aid care in the event of a pet injury
    • List of regional pet-friendly hotels
    • Bed, carrier or leash for each animal

Disaster Relief for Pets in Need

Following a natural disaster, the role of local animal welfare organizations in the impacted communities is crucial for providing immediate support to pets in need and their families.

PetSmart Charities®, the largest funder of animal welfare in the United States, has strong relationships with thousands of local organizations and is available to provide funding support to response teams on the front lines that help displaced and abandoned pets in times of weather crises and natural disasters. With the help of local animal welfare organizations, PetSmart Charities has assisted more than 230,000 pets during emergency relief efforts since 2007. Following the storm, nonprofit organizations are encouraged to contact PetSmart Charities for available emergency relief funding at PetSmartCharities.org/pro

About PetSmart®

PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets, and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart’s passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities. We employ approximately 53,000 associates, operate 1,477 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and 203 in-store PetSmart® PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities. PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and pet products and offers dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp day care services and pet adoption services in-store. Our portfolio of digital resources for pet parents – including PetSmart.com, PetFoodDirect.com, Pet360.com and petMD.com – offers the most comprehensive online pet supplies and pet care information in the U.S. Through our in-store pet adoption partnership with independent nonprofit organizations, PetSmart Charities® and PetSmart Charities™ of Canada, PetSmart helps to save the lives of more than 500,000 homeless pets each year.

Follow PetSmart on Twitter: @PetSmart
Find PetSmart on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PetSmart
See PetSmart on YouTube: www.YouTube.com/PetSmart

About PetSmart Charities®

PetSmart Charities, Inc. is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that saves the lives of homeless pets. Each year nearly 500,000 dogs and cats find homes through our adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and sponsored adoption events. Each year millions of PetSmart shoppers contribute to pets in need by making donations directly to PetSmart Charities on a pin pad at the registers in PetSmart stores. PetSmart Charities administers and efficiently uses 90 cents of every dollar of the generous donations by issuing grants and providing additional support to help pets in need. PetSmart Charities grants more money to directly help pets in need than any other animal welfare group in North America, with a focus on funding adoption and spay/neuter programs that help communities solve pet overpopulation. PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization, independent from PetSmart, Inc. PetSmart Charities has received the Four Star Rating for the past 13 years from Charity Navigator, an independent nonprofit that reports on the effectiveness, accountability and transparency of nonprofits, placing it among the top one percent of charities rated by this organization.

Contacts:
Golin for PetSmart Inc.
Danielle Bickelmann
dbickelmann@golin.com
469-680-2503

PetSmart Media Line:
623-587-2177

Source: PetSmart Inc.