If you are preparing a traditional Thanksgiving dinner this year, you will probably have a lot of leftovers. The US Department of Agriculture says there is a time limit on how long you can safely store leftover food.

Make sure to refrigerate dense foods like sliced turkey, cooked sweet potatoes or gravy in shallow containers to help them cool down fast. Schaffner’s recent research showed that foods cooled in containers at a depth of no more than 2 inches posed little risk of growing dangerous germs.

The holidays are times for feasting and family, but safety should always be on the menu. Here are essential tips for cooking safety during the holiday, including what to do if accidents happen in the kitchen.