Thanksgiving Safety Tips: How to Stay Safe This Holiday Season
Thanksgiving traffic is a pain everywhere as people are rushing home to spend the holiday with friends and family, but just because it’s a holiday doesn’t mean that accidents can’t happen.
Collisions, fires, and other accidents can happen during Thanksgiving. The holiday itself can be overwhelming or stressful for some people and can potentially make them become distracted on the road, kitchen, or stores. However, your safety should always be a top priority.
Here are a few precautions to take so that all you have to worry about is who will win the football game and how many plates you’re going to eat.
Staying Safe While Traveling
Since Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days of the year, it’s important to be aware of hazards on the road.
Keep you and your family safe on the road by following these precautions:
- Make sure your car is in good working condition (oil, tire pressure, windshield wiper fluid, etc.)
- Make sure everyone in the vehicle has their seatbelt on
- Plan your trip ahead of time to avoid traffic jams
- Check the weather to avoid driving in inclement conditions
- Never use your cell phone and drive
- Never drive while intoxicated
Fire Safety Tips for a Cozy and Safe Thanksgiving Dinner
They say home is where the heart is, but the heart of the home is the kitchen. On Thanksgiving, it is where all the magic and action happens. From prepping ingredients to
According to the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated 1,610 home cooking fires were reported to U.S fire departments on Thanksgiving Day in 2022.
Following these tips can keep the heart of the home healthy and safe:
- Do not leave food unattended on the stove or oven
- Do not leave the house while cooking your turkey and check on it frequently
- Never use a turkey fryer indoors
- Make sure the fryer can handle the weight and size of the turkey
- Do not put too much oil in that it overflows when the turkey is in, causing a grease fire
- Remove flammable items away from the stove such as towels, oven mitts, etc.
- Children should stay away from the stove, hot food and liquids to prevent burns
- Keep knives away from children
- Make sure electric cords from kitchen appliances/tools are not hanging from the counter
- Matches and utility lighters should be out of reach for children
- Do not leave children alone in a room with a lit candle
- Keep the floor clear of toys, bags, etc. to ensure no one trips over them
- Check your smoke alarms to make sure they are working
How to Score the Best Deals Safely on Black Friday
Thanksgiving is the busiest time for shopping, but the day after is what is most popular with shoppers. This day of the year is the most anticipated day to get the best shopping deals. With great deals comes not so great behaviors.
The following are hazards that can happen during Black Friday:
- Crowd crush
- When the time for doors to open gets near, large crowds can begin pushing to get close to the open doors. Stampedes result in injuries on Black Friday, so avoiding crowds when possible can help you stay safe. Be especially mindful of gatherings around store entrances and cash registers.
- Trips and falls
- The weather for this time of year can lead to wet floors in stores. Wear sturdy shoes that do not have smooth soles to prevent slipping. Rushing also increases your chances of tripping and falling.
- Shoppers tend to drop things or items fall off the shelf in the middle of the aisle and people are too distracted to notice. Again, try not to rush and stay on the lookout for any debris.
- Physical altercations
- Many people fight and argue over an item to the point where people have been shot, stabbed, and pepper sprayed. Shoppers should be wary of confrontation and if someone grabs the item you wanted, it’s best to let them have it than start a fight.
This Thanksgiving, the only thing you should be worrying about is whether you have enough gravy — not safety hazards. Keep your holiday stress-free by following these simple precautions to protect your family, your home, and your meal!
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