Common Thanksgiving Day Emergencies You Can Avoid
Preventing Accidents & Other Emergencies During Thanksgiving Day
Start Your Thanksgiving Dinner By Handling Food With Care & Cleanliness
25% of foodborne illness outbreaks are linked to poultry, the largest percentage of any food group, and it’s mostly due to food handling errors and inadequate cooking. Don’t forget to:
- Thaw turkeys in the refrigerator, the microwave, or a bath of cold water that gets changed every 30 minutes. Bacteria grow most rapidly on food between 40°F and 140°F, as food thaws or chills after cooking.
- Thoroughly clean any surface that comes in contact with raw poultry with hot, soapy water.
- Cook turkey to an internal temperature of 165ºF in an oven no lower than 325ºF.
- Preparing stuffing in a casserole dish is safer than stuffing it inside the bird.
Food Poisoning Isn’t The Only Risk At The Thanksgiving Dinner Table
- Ask about ingredients if you have food allergies or sensitivities and didn’t prepare the food yourself.
- Imbibe intelligently, especially if you need to drive after the meal.
- Pace yourself. Overeating can lead to drowsiness—a problem if you need to drive. Heavy meals can trigger a gallstone attack and may even increase the risk of having a heart attack for people with heart problems.
House Fire Prevention Tips During Thanksgiving Day
- Don’t leave pots unattended (76.5% of Thanksgiving Day residential fires are caused by unattended cooking).
- Keep burners and cooktops clear of towels, food packaging, or any other materials that could catch fire.
- Make sure appliance and extension cords aren’t frayed or damaged.
- Don’t overload outlets or power strips.
- Be careful with turkey fryers. Never deep fry a frozen turkey, and make sure someone is watching the fryer at all times.
Prevent Hand Cuts By Handling Kitchenware With Safety
Slice your bird, not your hand. Make sure to:
- Sharpen knives before carving.
- Keep knives and cutting surfaces dry to minimize slipping.
- Cut away from yourself.
- Keep your free hand on the opposite side of the bird you are carving (not under a slice of meat).
Attending Thanksgiving Day Events & Activities
If you plan on taking part in a Thanksgiving Day athletic event, such as a 5K or family game, warm up and cool down with proper stretching. Other common Thanksgiving Day emergencies include alcohol-related accidents, and sprains or strains due to intense shopping trips.
In Case Of A Thanksgiving Emergency, Contact A 24-Hour Freestanding Emergency Room
Emergency room visits spike the day before, the day of, and the day after Thanksgiving. Visit The Emergency Center in case you or your out-of-town guests have an emergency this Thanksgiving.
Sources:
1. businessinsider.com
2. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3. nfpa.org
4. onsafety.cpsc.gov
5. familydoctor.org
The Emergency Center
San Antonio
11320 Alamo Ranch Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78253
Phone: 210-485-3644
Conroe
4019 I-45 N,
Conroe, Texas 77304
Phone: 936-247-9457