Families planning a turkey dinner tomorrow should think about food safety. The Illinois health department says it's important to give a frozen turkey enough time to thaw thoroughly before cooking.
Thawing in the refrigerator takes about 24 hours for every four to five pounds and thawing in cold water takes about 30 minutes per pound.
That means a 20- to 24-pound turkey can take five or six days to thaw in the refrigerator. It takes 10 to 12 hours to thaw in cold water.