Thanksgiving Safety Tips

Photo Credit: By Alcinoe (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Thanksgiving is a beloved holiday. It’s a day to meet up with family and friends to celebrate all that we are thankful for and of course, eat! With all the excitement and holiday chaos, accidents can easily happen. Here are a few tips to keep you and your loved ones safe this Thanksgiving holiday.

Cook with Caution

According to The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and related injuries. The association urges people to stay in the kitchen while cooking so that they can keep an eye on the food and never to leave the house when cooking a turkey. Kids are especially prone to accidents in the kitchen. Keep them away from the stove and out of the kitchen. Also, be sure to put knives, hot liquids such as gravy, lit candles, and electrical cords out of their reach.

If you’re frying a turkey, follow these additional safety guidelines:

• Thaw out your turkey completely.
• Cook the turkey in the oil at 350 degrees, no hotter.
• Cook the turkey outside on a flat, non-combustible surface, and definitely not in your garage or home
• Have a fire extinguisher ready; oil and water don’t mix.

Drive Safely

The National Safety Council (NSC) is estimating that there will be 418 fatalities from car crashes this Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Furthermore, the NSC estimates that there will be 153 lives saved that same weekend due to wearing seat belts.

Keep safe on the roads this holiday season by heeding these tips:

• Do not drink and drive. AAA offers a free towing service in several states called Tow To Go on major holidays such as Thanksgiving, which is available to members and nonmembers. Store this number in your phone (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246.
• Wear your seatbelt, even if you’re just driving a short distance.
• Properly secure children in age-appropriate car seats.
• Plan ahead for driving in traffic and bad weather. Give yourself extra time so you don’t feel rushed and make a mistake behind the wheel.
• Do not drive distracted. This means texting, email, navigating, or even scarfing down a turkey sandwich.

From all of us at Panter, Panter & Sampedro, we wish you a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!