The Most Common Thanksgiving Injuries And How To Avoid Them
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with your loved ones and express gratitude. Along with the family gathering comes a higher risk for accidents and injuries. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2020, around 36,000 people went to the emergency room on Thanksgiving Day. To keep your family fun at home, it’s important to practice safety. Continue reading to learn the most common thanksgiving injuries and how to avoid them.
Burns
While trying to cook your Thanksgiving feast, you may become overwhelmed and accidentally grab a hot dish or spill boiling water. Burns are bound to happen if you are not vigilant and cautious. To prevent any burns, keep safety a top priority in the kitchen by using oven mitts and any other necessary protection. You also want to make sure only the necessary people are in the kitchen since to make cooks in one kitchen could lead to accidental burns.
If you typically deep fry a turkey, use extreme caution. Do not deep fry your turkey in an enclosed space. Keep the deep fryer at least 15 feet away from your home. Make sure the turkey is thawed and patted down before placing it in the oil. Wear eye goggles and oven mitts when handling the deep fryer.
House Fires
Cooking is already the leading cause of house fires, but on Thanksgiving day there are 3 to 4 times more home cooking fires than a regular day, according to the National Fire Protection Association. By taking necessary precautions, you can prevent a cooking fire. A few ways to practice fire safety on Thanksgiving are:
- Never leave food on the stovetop unattended while it’s cooking.
- Any food that requires a large amount of oil, such as frying a turkey, requires attention and safety precautions.
- Keep flammable items such as oven mitts, napkins, and kitchen towels at least 3 feet away from the cooking area.
- Use timers to keep track of cooking times and prevent your food from overcooking & catching on fire.
- Be sure to also have a fire extinguisher handy just in case.
Car Accidents
Many people are traveling the entire Thanksgiving week, but especially on Thanksgiving Day to go to different holiday celebrations. Most accidents on Thanksgiving are caused by sleepy drivers and driving while under the influence. Car accidents can result in brain injuries, back injuries, paralysis, burns, and even death. When traveling on Thanksgiving, it’s important to stay vigilant, pull over if you are feeling sleepy, and never get behind the wheel if you’re intoxicated.
If you do experience one of these most common Thanksgiving day injuries caused by the negligence of someone else, it’s time to hire a personal injury lawyer. Our attorneys at J. Stein Law firms are here to assist you through the personal injury claim process so you can focus on recovering. Call us today for a free consultation to discuss your potential case.
Sources:
