Thanksgiving is a time for gathering and catching up, spending quality time, and sharing a delicious meal. If your family chooses to get together this year, take extra care to stay healthy and safe. As you enjoy your holiday, here are some Thanksgiving safety tips to put into practice.
Thanksgiving Safety Tips for the Kitchen
Because of all the cooking, Thanksgiving is a time of year when kitchen fires are common. With so many dishes to prepare, it’s easy to become distracted. Kitchen safety is essential during this season.
Don’t leave cooking unattended. If you need to step away, have another adult take over. Never leave the house while cooking, even a brief run to the store is dangerous when there is food in the oven. Keep children and pets out of the kitchen to avoid injury. As always, turn pot handles inwards and wear well-fitted clothing when you’re near a heat source.
Holiday Fire Prevention Tips
To help prevent damage or injury from fire during your Thanksgiving holiday, make sure all your smoke alarms are working. Press the button to test them and replace the batteries if needed.
Practice fire safety by never leaving lit candles unattended and only burn candles well away from flammable items. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and another one near the hearth, if you’ll also be enjoying your fireplace. Make sure you know how to use it and teach other family members, as well.
Food Safety Measures
During the holiday season, reports of food poisoning and choking are more common. Keep an eye on young children when they are eating. Make sure they understand to chew the food completely before swallowing it.
For safety when preparing food, use separate cutting boards for meat and vegetables. Raw meat should never come into contact with other foods. When handling raw meat, cook it thoroughly to prevent illness. Wash your hands after handling meat and promptly store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Pet Safety During the Thanksgiving Holiday
Pets will definitely be interested in your plate on Thanksgiving. Different types of foods and meats are very appealing to your cat or dog. There are often turkey bones leftover after each feast. As tempting as it may be, keep them away from pets. Make sure your dog doesn’t eat anything with leeks, onions, raisins, chocolate, or grapes, as these are toxic to dogs.
Safety Tips for Thanksgiving Travel
During Thanksgiving, you may be traveling to visit family and friends. Before you hit the road, make sure you are well. If you have a fever or feel sick, stay home to avoid spreading germs to your loved ones.
If you choose to travel this year, take the time to have your car serviced before leaving home. Plan the route ahead of time and communicate with your family about when you expect to arrive. Keep an emergency kit in your car and check the weather to make sure it won’t impact your travel plans.
During the holiday season, a considerable number of accidents involve drunk driving. Fortunately, you can prevent this by not driving when intoxicated. Make plans to stay at a family member’s home or have a designated driver if you will be drinking this holiday season.
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