It’s no secret that Thanksgiving brings joy and stuffed bellies to people around the country, including our family-run law firm. However, a busy day full of socializing, cooking, eating, and other activities carries a pretty high risk of injuries from unexpected events. Just like other holidays, emergency rooms see a spike in accidental injuries. See some of the most common Thanksgiving Day injuries below:
1. Food Poisoning. Turkey is the biggest perpetrator on Thanksgiving – everyone wants to please their family by hosting a nice dinner complete with a delicious turkey, but not everyone knows how to cook it properly so it is safe to eat. Whatever method you choose to cook your turkey, you need to make sure the whole turkey has an internal temperature of 165ºF of above. At those temperatures, possible bacteria present in the turkey die. The best way to check the temperature is by sticking a meat thermometer in the thickest parts of the turkey, which take longer to cook through.
2. Burns. With all the different cooking going on, and depending on how many people are helping prepare dishes, things can get pretty chaotic, and it’s easy to get distracted and burn yourself. Remember to wear protective coverings like oven mitts, never leave food unattended while cooking over a flame, and communicate with your fellow home-chefs about which surfaces are hot.
3. Knife Injuries. Like burns, knife injuries are extremely common when cooking for the big day. Always be careful when you are handling a knife, and never leave a knife out in children’s reach.
4. Drinking and Eating Too Much. The food and drinks may be scrumptious, but the following “holiday heart” can make it all for nothing. The “holiday heart” is caused by surges in epinephrine or nor-epinephrine, both of which trigger irregular heartbeats and other problems. Additionally, drinking alcohol while taking certain medications can lead to issues more serious than a holiday heart. Space out your meals, stay hydrated, and always check your medications to see if it is safe for you to drink alcohol.
5. Drunk Driving. Our tip for this is simple: don’t drink and drive, and don’t let others around you drink and drive. It’s against the law!
6. Stress. Cooking a big meal can be an exhausting task, so it is important to have a plan ready and ask for help when you need it. Additionally, families getting together and drinking can certainly be fun, but it’s not fun when an argument arises between two or more family members. Whether they’re intoxicated or not, it can be very stressful on the whole family. In fact, Thanksgiving sees a higher amount of police calls about family feuds and domestic violence. Proceed with caution, and look out for signs of trouble.
Looking for safety for you and your family this Thanksgiving!
About Attorney Brian S. Brijbag
History of Thanksgiving