This is what you need to know before going to the grocery store to do your Thanksgiving shopping

PITTSBURGH — With more people staying home for Thanksgiving, grocery stores could be even busier than usual.

Gatherings might be smaller, but people are being urged to plan ahead and prepare for potential delays.

Officials say your safest bet is to shop for groceries using apps from your home or grocery store websites. Instacart, Amazon Fresh, and even using Walmart and Giant Eagle’s grocery pickup service are a few options.

If you have to go to the store in person, wear a mask, avoid crowded aisles and social distance. The best way to do this is to go on Google and check store hours, which will show you the busiest and slowest times of the day. Typically, Wednesday is the busiest day, and stores are most crowded between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Health officials say gloves aren’t necessary, and you can actually cross-contaminate when touching your phone and shopping list.

When it comes to wiping down carts, officials say you can sanitize them but it’s not essential. However, avoid touching your face and mouth.

Groceries do not need to be wiped down, but you can if you want. Health officials say the risk of catching COVID-19 from a surface is rare.

Officials also say to check store policies before going. Some stores are limiting the total number of customers. Some are also limiting how many paper products you can buy at once.

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Cox Media Group