Thanksgiving is a time of gathering for many families; it can be a wonderful time to catch up with loved ones over a delicious, home-cooked meal. And while nobody anticipates getting into an accident or otherwise becoming injured on Thanksgiving, it unfortunately happens more often than you might think. From auto accidents while driving to or from holiday gatherings to cooking incidents and everything in between, there are many hidden risks to be aware of. By knowing about some of the more common Thanksgiving-related accidents and injuries, as well as how to avoid them, you can hopefully keep yourself and your loved ones safe this Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to spend time with our loved ones, but the holiday isn’t without risks. Here are a few ways that you can ensure your Thanksgiving is as safe as possible.
Staying Safe on the Road
Many people travel to be with loved ones for the holidays, so if you have any plans to hit the road this Thanksgiving, there are some extra precautions worth taking. For starters, remember that there will likely be more people on the road than usual, since more people travel during the holidays than at any other time of year. Therefore, you should plan to give yourself some extra time to get where you need to be. Remember that speeding will not really save you that much time in the long run and will put you at greater risk of an accident. Take it slow, enjoy the trip, and make plenty of stops along the way if you have a long drive.
Furthermore, before you even leave on your Thanksgiving road trip, be sure to give your vehicle a quick once-over to ensure that everything is working properly. This should include:
- checking your tire pressure and adding air as needed
- checking all your lights to ensure they're working
- testing your brakes and signal lights
- making sure you've had a recent oil change.
Making sure your car is in safe operation and that you use a little caution on the road will help you reduce your chances of ending up in an accident during your holiday travels.
Staying Safe in the Kitchen
Another potential Thanksgiving hazard comes with all the cooking that goes on in the kitchen. Unfortunately, house fires occur every year on Thanksgiving, so taking some time to be extra cautious is important. Start by limiting the number of people allowed in the kitchen at once; while it may be nice that everybody wants to pitch in and help, having a crowded kitchen can increase the risk of an accident, such as a burn or other injury. Limiting the number of people is especially important if you're working in a smaller and more closed-off kitchen. And, of course, small children and pets should be kept out of the cooking area at all times.
If you don't already have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, now is the time to pick one up if you plan on hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year. Make sure you purchase an extinguisher that's rated for many different types of fires, including grease and electrical fires. Keep it in an easily accessible place in or near the kitchen, such as under the kitchen sink or in a pantry.
With the number of hours the average Thanksgiving turkey needs to be roasted in the oven, the risk of forgetting about the turkey is high, which can pose a greater fire hazard. For this reason, it is always recommended that you use a timer when cooking a turkey so as to avoid the possibility of forgetting about it in the oven. You may not think this is something you would forget about, but when you have a house full of people and other side dishes to prepare, it's an easier mistake to make than you might think. While cooking, be careful to keep any flammable materials away from your stove and other sources of heat. Some common items that often get left in dangerous places and lead to fires on Thanksgiving include:
- pot holders
- oven mitts
- food packaging
- plastic bags
- wooden utensils.
If you plan on deep-frying your turkey, make sure to do so outside and well away from the exterior of your home. Deep-trying a turkey can result in delicious cuts of meat, but keep in mind that it can also be quite dangerous if you don't know what you're doing.
Everybody plans on having a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday, but it only takes one small mistake for a serious accident to occur. If you've suffered an injury as a result of somebody else's negligence, whether on Thanksgiving or at any other time of the year, be sure to have the right legal team on your side.
As one of South Florida's most respected and oldest law firms, Stabinski Lawhas helped many people sort out their legal rights, responsibilities, and remedies for 45 years. We work on a contingency basis, which means that if there is no recovery, there is no fee or cost to you. Contact Stabinski Law at (305) 964-8644 to request a free consultation today.