Thanksgiving is always a treat. Turkey and stuffing, family, friends, and football — it’s relaxing fun that we all look forward to every year.
Yet despite the footloose and fancy-free feeling that comes along with Thanksgiving, there are some dangers that you might face if you’re not careful. That’s why we’ve collected the best Thanksgiving safety tips for you and your family to celebrate Turkey Day in peace!
Travel Concerns on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving’s all about getting together with family, and that often means traveling long distances. Always leave yourself plenty of travel time to offset any traffic or delays, as everyone else will be traveling too. Set aside even more time if the weather is bad, and drive slowly and carefully to avoid spending your Turkey Day at the mechanic — or, worse yet, in the hospital!
Also, if you’re going to be gone for more than a day or so, make sure you prep your home. The holidays are prime-time for break-ins, so leave a couple of lights burning to make it look like there are people home.
The Kitchen Can Be a Total War Zone
With its focus on eating lavish meals, Thanksgiving can turn home kitchens into savage wastelands. There’s a lot of cooking-related safety recommendations for Thanksgiving, most of which revolve around preparing and cooking that big turkey you’ve got.
Make sure you keep your turkey refrigerated and thaw it properly before cooking, and also make sure you cook it completely before serving to avoid anyone getting sick! That means heating it to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, if you’re going to be deep-frying your turkey, do it outside — and never, ever, deep-fry a frozen turkey inside a house. That’s an unfortunate way to burn your house down.
Eat, Drink, Be Merry — and Careful
Thanksgiving is about enjoying the good things, but let’s be honest: you can, indeed, have too much of a good thing. If you’re planning on driving home after dinner, take it easy on the alcoholic beverages.
Remember the average human body can metabolize about one drink an hour, so unless you’re crashing on the couch you had better pace yourself. If there are kids present, make sure they stay out of the kitchen and that they can handle the food on their plate without any risk of choking. Finally, if you’re taking leftovers home with you, keep them refrigerated or frozen so you can safely eat them!
The Last Word on Thanksgiving Safety
Like any major holiday, there’s a lot that goes into having a safe and happy Turkey Day every year. Focus on food safety if you’re cooking, traveling without risking life and limb if you’re visiting family at a distance, and be responsible when you’re around the dinner table and you’ll be set to have a great time this year as always. Pass the gravy (carefully) and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
