City of San Antonio Shares Thanksgiving Tips

Published on November 25, 2025

SAN ANTONIO (November 25, 2025) – While many prepare to travel, gather with friends and family, and share delicious food this week, the City of San Antonio offers these tips to ensure a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

San Antonio International Airport (SAT): Travel Smarter and Safer

• Reserve. Before arriving, travelers can guarantee a parking spot in the garages or economy green lot. 
• Check TSA Guidelines. Familiarize yourself with the rules on liquids, food, and electronics to avoid delays.
• Be early. SAT recommends passengers arrive two hours before boarding for Fly Away Valet or parking. 
• Connect. Metropolis Drive In, Drive Out will make holiday travel smoother. Upon arrival, passengers will scan a QR code and connect their license plate to their method of payment, and quickly pay for parking via the Metropolis app.
• Use Bags™ Curbside Concierge. If parking in the garages, passengers can check their bags at the tunnel connecting the short-term garage to the terminal and bypass the airline ticket counters

For more information about parking and check-in services, visit FlySanAntonio.com. 

Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health): Food Safety

For more information on food safety, visit CDC.gov.

• Thaw Safely. Never thaw at room temperature. Thaw frozen turkeys in the refrigerator, in cold water (changed every 30 minutes), or in the microwave. Food thawed in cold water or in the microwave should be cooked immediately.
• Cook Thoroughly. Ensure turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in all parts. Use a food thermometer to check.
• Avoid Cross-Contamination. Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces thoroughly after handling raw turkey and other ingredients.
• Watch the kitchen. Thanksgiving is a peak day for cooking fires. Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, or broiling food. Keep children and flammable items away from hot surfaces, and never leave a fryer unattended.
• Practice turkey fryer safety. Use fryers outdoors on a flat surface away from structures. Be sure the turkey is completely thawed and dry before frying to prevent oil splatter or fires. 
• Store Leftovers Promptly. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within two hours to prevent foodborne illness.

Metro Health & San Antonio Police Department (SAPD): Personal Health & Safety Resources

• Recognize heightened risk and create a safety plan. Holiday demands such as travel, crowded gatherings, financial strain, increased alcohol use, and feelings of isolation can raise the risk of intimate partner violence (IPV). Everyone is encouraged to develop or revisit a simple safety plan now: identify a trusted contact, establish a code word or signal, and know your safe exit routes or safe place if tensions escalate.
• Manage stress and set realistic expectations. The pressure to create a holiday gathering can magnify tension and conflict. Prioritize tasks, delegate where possible, build in rest and self-care, and limit alcohol or substance use—all steps that support safety and IPV risk.
• Set and communicate healthy boundaries. Family and partner interactions during the holidays may activate past patterns or unsafe dynamics. It’s acceptable to decline social events, limit time in triggering settings, and clearly state your needs or limits ahead of time.
• Be kind to others. Holiday stress can lead to short tempers—remember patience and compassion go a long way toward keeping the season peaceful and enjoyable. 
• Reach out for support and access resources. Support services remain available throughout the holiday season. Save key hotline numbers and, if you feel unsafe at any moment, leave the situation or call emergency services immediately. If you or a loved one want to talk to a mental health professional, call either of these 24/7 crisis lines: 210-223-SAFE or 988. In case of emergency, call 911. 

SAPD: Drive Safely & Protect Your Home

SAPD reminds everyone to make safety a part of their holiday plans.

• Plan a sober ride, and never drink and drive. If you plan to celebrate with alcohol, arrange for a designated driver, ride-share, taxi, or use public transit. Officers will be increasing DWI enforcement throughout the holiday weekend to keep roads safe.
• Buckle up and slow down. Expect heavier-than-usual traffic around San Antonio and throughout Texas. Drive patiently, follow the speed limit, and ensure everyone in your vehicle is properly buckled in. 
• Protect your home. If traveling, secure doors and windows, set alarms, and avoid sharing vacation details on social media until you return. Ask a neighbor to help keep an eye on your property. 

Animal Care Services: Keep Pets and People Safe

• Keep Thanksgiving food out of your pet's reach. In addition to the obvious choking hazard from the holiday bird, traditional holiday offerings can cause upset stomach and diarrhea in your pet. 
• Create a safe space for your pet. Holiday gatherings can be stressful for pets. The noise, coupled with unfamiliar faces, can lead to aggressive behavior. Giving your pet a safe place to relax away from the feast can make everyone feel more comfortable.      
• Play with your pet. A tired pet is less likely to do something off-limits. A good play session before the guests come over can help your pet decompress and be on their best behavior.

San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD): Decorate Safely

Since many put up their tree and begin decorating on or soon after Thanksgiving, the SAFD reminds everyone that overloaded electrical outlets are a leading cause of fire in the home. As you decorate your house for the holidays, make it a safe place. Learn more at FireSafeSA.com.

• Don’t overload extension cords or outlets. Electric overloads can cause shocks and start fires. Cords should be plugged into outlets equipped with GFCIs.
• Keep pathways clear and be aware of cords. Make sure all electric cords are out of high-traffic pathways and areas. Do not run cords through doorways or hide them under rugs or carpets.
• Protect children and pets. Do not let children or pets play with light strands or electrical decorations.

Resilience and Sustainability Department: Consider Greener Options

• Skip the disposables. Reduce waste by using reusable plates, cups and silverware. You’ll save money too. 
• Don’t overbuy. To prevent food waste, plan portions carefully to prevent preparing more than will be consumed. 
• Compost your food scraps. Toss your food waste, food-soiled paper and coffee grounds in the green cart. See additional tips on composting in the green cart and recycling in the blue cart from Solid Waste Management.

Solid Waste Management: Know Your Carts and Disposable Materials

These items DO go in my blue recycling cart.

• Cardboard boxes from online shipping
• Plain wrapping paper
• Empty plastic bottles and jugs
• Empty glass bottles and jars 
• Empty tin & Aluminum cans

These items DON’T go in my blue recycling cart.

• Styrofoam packing from inside shipping boxes
• Foil or glitter wrapping paper
• Plastic bags, not even bundled together
• Mirror glass or glass ornaments
• Any other type of metal besides tin and aluminum cans
• Anything that can tangle, such as cords, string, strands of lights, wire hangers and hoses

These items DON’T go in my brown trash cart

• Batteries of any kind. Instead, they should be taken to Household Hazardous Waste.
• Coals from the grill 
• Ashes from the fireplace
• Candles from the mantle

Note: With more of everything at the holidays, remember not to overstuff your brown cart. Call for an additional out-of-cycle- collection through 3-1-1.

These items DO go in my green recycling cart

• Tree limbs
• Live Poinsettias and Amaryllis
• Food scraps to make compost

These items DON’T go in my green recycling cart

• Tree stands, lights and ornaments, wreaths, garlands with florist wire.
• Plastic pots that poinsettias and other plants come in.

If you have any confusion about the green cart, remember: ‘If a worm can eat it – green it!’