Thanksgiving accidents are never part of the holiday plan. An accident is probably the last thing you are thinking about when celebrating over the holiday weekend. Unfortunately, every year, we hear about tragic incidents from fatal car accidents to home cooking fires. While preparing for your celebrations, it is a good idea to take a few minutes to remind yourself and your loved ones of safety tips so that everyone can be a little more cautious and aware as we head into the long weekend.
3 Most Common Types of Thanksgiving Accidents:
- Auto Accidents – Thanksgiving weekend, which runs Wednesday, November 27 through Sunday, December 1, kicks off the holiday traffic season. Auto accidents skyrocket during this time of year due to factors like aggressive driving, distracted driving, drowsy driving, and impaired driving. For example, the night before Thanksgiving—known as Blackout Wednesday or Drunksgiving—is one of the most dangerous nights to be on the road. During Thanksgiving weekend alone, the National Safety Council (NSC) Holiday Traffic Fatality Estimate for Thanksgiving, states that 417 people may die in fatal car accidents in the United States.
- Cooking Fires – Did you know that Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires? The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that in 2017, U.S. Fire Departments responded to 1,600 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving. The NFPA found that unattended cooking was the leading contributor to cooking fires and fire deaths.
- Food Poisoning – Thanksgiving is a day for indulging in your favorite foods and beverages. According to the Calorie Control Council, a research study found that an average holiday dinner is around 3,000 calories. With so much food being cooked and consumed, the risk of foodborne illnesses rises.
Tips to Avoid Thanksgiving Accidents:
- Always wear your seatbelt. The NSC estimates that 165 lives may be saved due to individuals wearing their seatbelts and that an additional 97 lives could be saved if everyone wore their safety belts.
- Never drive under the influence. In 2017, the NSC reported that 35% of fatal accidents on the road were due to alcohol impairment.
- When cooking, never leave your food unattended and check on it frequently.
- Keep children away from cooking appliances, including stoves and turkey fryers.
- Move electric cords, knives, matches, lighters, and candles out of the reach of children.
- Prevent foodborne illnesses by following these steps from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Clean your hands and utensils, especially after handling raw meat and poultry. Separate raw meat and poultry items from other foods to avoid contamination. Cook your food all the way through to appropriate temperatures, which is 165°F for turkey and sides. Chill and store all dishes within the safest time frame. After cooking, food can be left out for two hours before it is unsafe to eat.
We encourage you to take a few moments to review these safety tips with your loved ones. Even if they seem obvious, it is a good idea to have a fresh reminder as you begin your festivities. It only takes a moment for an accident to happen.
Wherever you are and whatever you are doing this holiday weekend, we’d like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving from our family to your family!
