Thanksgiving is one of the most beautiful time of the year, when we gather with friends and family, delicious food on the table and football or the parade turned on our TV screens. While these enjoyable moments are always remembered, there are not as “beautiful” things as sometimes gets hectic.
Hence, it’s important to always keep safety in mind. Some of the top hazards during the Thanksgiving holiday include:
FIRE – kitchen fires, candles and outdoor deep fryers
FOOD- choking and poisoning, cuts and burns during food preparation
TRAVEL- car accidents, driving while intoxicated or distracted
Wondering how to prevent these from happening?
Let’s start with kitchen safety:
- Keep children away from stove
- Do not leave house while the turkey is cooking
- Ensure the kitchen floor is clear and doesn’t have any trip hazards
- Keep matches, lighters, candles and knives out of the reach of children
The U.S. Fire Department claims that more than 4,000 fires occur on Thanksgiving Day and causes over 50 injuries, destruction of 900 homes and more than $15 million in property damage. Kitchen safety is more important than usual, as more people might be working in the kitchen to prepare large meal.
Continue with more holiday fire prevention tips:
- Keep baking soda on hand to put out kitchen fires.
- Do not leave food cooking or the stove unsupervised.
- Make sure smoke alarms are working.
- A household fire extinguisher should always be nearby.
- Do not leave candles burning unattended and do not burn candles near flammable items like curtains or potpourri.
- Follow all instructions carefully when using a deep fryer and monitor closely!
Food safety is crucial:
- Always wash your hands after handling raw or under-cooked poultry.
- Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and produce to prevent cross-contamination.
- The USDA recommends cooking the turkey at a minimum of 325 degrees. Use a food thermometer and cook the turkey to an internal temperature of 165 to 180 degrees to ensure the turkey is cooked thoroughly and to avoid illness caused by consuming under-cooked poultry.
- Store leftovers within 2 hours or toss them.
Incidents of choking and food poisoning increase during holidays, especially as people consume food more than usual. Approximately 51 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving.
If you plan to take a trip, don’t forget about holiday travel safety:
- Buckle up, every trip.
- Make sure your vehicle is well maintained.
- Plan your route ahead of time.
- Carry and emergency kit in the car.
- Be aware of weather conditions.
- Take caution in parking lots while out shopping.
- No texting while driving.
It’s one of the most travel-heavy times of the year and importance of being prepared for everything is necessary, especially during bad weather. And most importantly, DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE, please. Most accidents involve alcohol.