Thanksgiving Safety Tips

Thanksgiving is a holiday devoted to spending time with those you love. With that said, it is one of the busiest travel days of the year. While millions of people are on the roads headed to visit with family members and loved ones, just as many are at home, preparing for those coming their way for visits. This Thanksgiving weekend you can help to avoid holiday accidents and injuries at home and on the road by following some simple safety tips.

Be Safe in the Kitchen

Preparing a holiday feast is a tradition in most homes throughout the country. However, all that cooking in the kitchen over Thanksgiving ends up resulting in an increased risk for fires. The kitchen is the most common place for a fire to originate in the home. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, the following Thanksgiving fire safety tips can decrease the likelihood of a fire in your home:

• Stay in the kitchen while you are cooking
• Never leave foods cooking on the stove or in the oven unattended
• Make sure children stay at least three feet away from the stove to prevent burns
• Keep matches out of reach of children
• Keep potholders and oven mitts away from burners as these can catch fire quite easily
• Do not leave candles or fireplaces burning unattended
• Be sure all kitchen appliances are turned off before leaving the room
• Make sure working smoke alarms are installed on every floor and in all sleeping rooms in your house

Many people prefer the taste of fried turkey compared to oven roasted, but the NFPA discourages the use of home turkey fryers. These fryers can lead to tragic burns and can end up destroying your property. If fried turkey is a must for you, get one from a local restaurant or caterer.

Road Safety

The American Red Cross advises following these Thanksgiving travel safety tips to ensure you get to your destination safely:

• Be well rested before hitting the road
• Make sure everyone is buckled up safely, regardless of how short the trip is
• Avoid distractions while driving, such as texting or cell phones
• Obey the speed limit
• If you have car problems, pull of the road as far as possible

As always, please refrain from getting behind the wheel if you have been drinking, and avoid taking any prescription medicine that could impair your judgement while driving.

Contact a Pasco County Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton Today!

From all of us at Whittel & Melton, we wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving. If you or a loved ones becomes injured this Thanksgiving weekend, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 727-847-2299 or contact us online. We are available 24/7 this holiday season!