Thanksgiving Safety Tips
Thanksgiving is all about spending time with those you love. You may be gathered together around the table enjoying a Thanksgiving feast with family, or gathered around the television cheering on your favorite team with friends. Either way, it is one of the busiest travel days of the year, and while millions of people are on the roads headed to visit with loved ones, just as many are at home, preparing for those visits. This Thanksgiving you can help to avoid holiday accidents and injuries at home and on the road by being aware of potential dangers and following same simple safety tips.
Practicing Safety In The Kitchen
Preparing a holiday feast with turkey and all the trimmings is a tradition in many homes. Unfortunately, all that cooking and commotion 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. The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) recommends following these Thanksgiving fire safety tips to decrease the likelihood of a fire in your home:
- Stay in the kitchen while you are cooking, and do not leave foods cooking on the stove 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;
- Do not leave candles or fireplaces burning unattended;
- Be sure all kitchen appliances are turned off before going to bed; and
- Make sure smoke alarms are installed on every floor and in all sleeping rooms in your house.
While many people prefer the taste of fried turkey, the NFPA discourages the use of home turkey fryers. These fryers can lead to devastating burns and can end up destroying your property. If fried turkey is a must, get one from a local restaurant or caterer.
Safety on The Road
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days of the year. As millions of people take to the roads to visit family and loved ones, the American Red Cross advises following these Thanksgiving travel safety tips to ensure you get to your destination safely:
- Get enough sleep and be well rested before hitting the road;
- Make sure everyone is buckled up safely, and use age appropriate child safety seats for little ones;
- Avoid distractions while driving, such as texting or cell phones;
- Drive the speed limit. Going either too fast or too slow can be dangerous;
- Follow the general rules of traffic safety and avoid tailgating and improper passing; and
- If you have car problems, pull of the road as far as possible.
To prevent breakdowns, make sure and have your car serviced before you leave for your trip. Get your tires and car battery checked, and make sure your windshield washer fluid is filled. As always, do not get behind the wheel if you have been drinking, and avoid taking any prescription medicine that could impair your judgement while driving.
Contact Our Experienced New York Attorneys Today
At Cavallo & Cavallo, we wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving. As your neighborhood law firm, our experienced New York real estate, medicaid, and asset protection attorneys are always here when you need us. With offices in the Bronx and Westchester, you can trust Cavallo & Cavallo to provide efficient, effective legal representation for all your legal needs.
