Eat those holiday leftovers soon, food expert says - Proper reheating is an important step in safety

Time's ticking for Thanksgiving leftovers.

Most leftovers only last about four days if cooled properly, said Don Harrington, chief of the Arizona Department of Health Services bureau of epidemiology and disease control.

"The most important thing is making sure -- in terms of longevity -- that you get it cooled off quickly ... and properly reheat it," Harrington said.

He advises extra caution during the holidays when larger dinners are being prepared for celebrations. "There's more leftovers at this time of year that need to be properly handled," he said.

Harrington recommends storing leftovers in small containers so they will cool quickly.

Food should only be left out a maximum four hours for it to last the longest, he said.

The ideal temperature for food storage in the refrigerator is 41 to 45 degrees, Harrington said.

Harrington recommends placing a thermometer at the top of the refrigerator near the door, where temperatures are likely to be their warmest.

Food also should not be reheated twice since doing so raises the risk of food-borne illnesses.

Nearly 5,000 deaths are attributed to food-borne illnesses annually in the U.S., Harrington said.

When reheating food, Harrington recommends getting it to a temperature at or near the original preparation level. Harrington also advises against using odor as the primary way to determine if the food is safe.

The best rule of thumb?

"When in doubt, throw it out," Harrington said.