Mini Mops House Cleaning

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Let’s Talk Turkey … How to Keep Your Family Safe

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Happy Thanksgiving - Turkey Safety Tips

United States founding father Alexander Hamilton once proclaimed that “No citizen of the United States should refrain from turkey on Thanksgiving Day.” And according to a survey by the National Turkey Federation, 88% of Americans do eat turkey on Thanksgiving.

If you’re one of the 88%, please follow these tips and be safe. If you’re among the other 12% who don’t prepare or eat turkey for Thanksgiving, please pass these tips along to someone who does!

Tips to Safely Prepare a Turkey:

How to check your food thermometer for accuracy• Keep food prep surfaces, cutting boards, and utensils clean and sanitized to reduce the risk of Salmonella infection.
• Wash your hands before and after handling raw turkey.
• Thaw a frozen turkey in your refrigerator. Allow about a day for every 5 pounds.
• Use a meat thermometer — inserted into the thickest area of the thigh — to determine if the turkey is thoroughly cooked (180o F).

Tips to Safely Store Turkey Leftovers:

• Remove leftover turkey meat from the bones and remove any stuffing. Refrigerate or freeze within 2 hours of cooking.
• Store turkey leftovers in shallow containers.
• Eat refrigerated turkey leftovers within 3-4 days.
• Immediately freeze leftovers that won’t be eaten within 3-4 days, rather than freezing after those days.

Tips to Keep Pets Safe:

• Never give dogs or cats raw or undercooked turkey — they can get Salmonella, too.
• Never give pets turkey bones.
• Keep kitchen trash cans covered and away from curious pets.

From our family to yours … HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

9 Tips to Protect Your Home and Family from Pests

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No Bugs Here image to illustrate 9 Tips to Protect Your Home and Family from Pests article on the Mini Mops House Cleaning blog

Your home is your refuge against inclement weather. It gives you and your family shelter, warmth, and comfort.

These same qualities attract pests — like rodents, spiders, and cockroaches — to invite themselves in and make themselves at home. And that’s why these pests are always more of a threat during the cooler months of the year.

To help you keep your home and family safe from pests this fall, check out these tips from the National Pest Management Association:

1. Install door sweeps on exterior doors, and repair damaged screens.

2. Screen vents and openings to chimneys.

3. Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the home, including areas where utilities and pipes enter.

4. Store food in airtight containers.

5. Dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles.

6. Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the foundation and windows.

7. Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains.

8. Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the home.

9. Keep shrubbery well-trimmed.

Of course, if you suspect a pest infestation problem in your home, you should consult with a licensed pest professional to inspect, identify and treat the problem. We suggest locally owned and operated CSI Exterminators (www.csi-ext.com • 559-294-1779).

BONUS TIP: Peppermint essential oil is a natural repellent of both mice and spiders (and ants, too). Soak a cotton ball or cotton pad with the oil and place in areas where you see evidence of the pests. You also can mix 4-5 drops of the oil in a spray bottle of water for a spray-on treatment.

(National Pest Management Association tips from www.PestWorld.org)

YOUR TURN! What other steps do YOU take to protect your home and family from pests? Tell us about them in a comment below!

Mini Mops, Inc. is a professional house cleaning company serving residential and commercial clients in the Fresno-Clovis CA area since 1975. We are currently accepting new clients. Please call (559) 264-6677 to schedule a free estimate.