Thanksgiving is the official start of the holiday season. Say the word “Thanksgiving” to anyone in the U.S. and the first thing that comes to mind is food. The second thing that comes to mind for many, though, is laughter, fellowship, happiness, and warmth. Unfortunately, for all too many people, that warmth turns into tragedy when accidents occur causing serious injuries.
As a major travel time, the roads get crowded every Thanksgiving, and accidents increase. In homes across the country, kitchen accidents harm thousands of people. Explore the Thanksgiving safety tips you can employ to protect yourself this holiday season as well as protecting your loved ones from accidents.
Thanksgiving Safety Tips
There are two major categories of Thanksgiving safety tips to consider: travel tips and kitchen cooking safety. Each of these sees a unique set of dangers that increase over the holiday season, and the sad thing is many accidents that occur could be avoided simply by exercising a little bit more care. Let’s look at some travel tips, and some kitchen cooking tips to keep you safe.
Travel Tips for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a prime travel time. This means the roads are really crowded with cars. When you’re traveling, the biggest thing to keep in mind is to take it slow. Give plenty of room between you and the car in front of you so that if they stop, swerve or any other unforeseen issues arise, you have plenty of time to react.
If you’re taking a long road trip, stop frequently for rests. Switch off drivers if you can. Make sure that you wash your windows and your headlights thoroughly so you can see and be seen no matter what the weather conditions might be. Just remember, it’s better to be late than to not arrive at all. Be safe, take it slow, and be alert at all times. =
Cooking Tips for Thanksgiving
It’s astonishing how many injuries and house fires take place because of a lapse in judgment in the kitchen. Everyone wants to look their best for the holidays, but take off the dangling jewellery and loose-fitting clothing—these are fire hazards. When you’re using the stove, never leave it unattended. If you have to leave the kitchen, shut it off for a minute. Keep the stove clean to avoid buildup of grease that can catch fire.
When using the oven, check your food regularly, and use a cooking timer to remind you when to shut off the oven. Keep kids and pets out of the cooking area, and keep anything flammable clear, including oven mitts and wooden utensils. Check your kitchen before you go to bed or leave the house just to make sure that everything is turned off. Finally, always keep a fire extinguisher handy just in case of emergencies.
Legal Help for Thanksgiving Accidents
If you do get hurt in an accident because someone wasn’t following basic Thanksgiving safety tips, you may be entitled to collect damages for the harm you suffer. If you need legal help or advice in this area, Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers is here to help. Give us a call for a free case consult today!
