Thanksgiving Safety Tips

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Thanksgiving Safety Tips

Turkey Day is Here! Be Thankful and Stay Safe

This has been a challenging year for most, and some of us are still recovering from the devastation hurricane Harvey caused, but, it is because of all these challenges that we have so much to be thankful for this year.

Altus Emergency Centers and its staff are thankful for our communities, for demonstrating that together we can do anything; we are honored and humbled for the trust and loyalty you have shown us, and we are thankful for the opportunity to still be here to help you and your loved ones during a medical emergency.

We want everyone to have a happy and most of all safe Thanksgiving this year, so please read on, and follow our Thanksgiving safety tips. Injury prevention is always the best policy.

child praying over the dinner table

Travel During Thanksgiving Safety Tips

This year the American Automobile Association (AAA), estimates that close to 51 million Americans will drive 50 miles or more from their homes to spend the Thanksgiving Holiday with family or friends, this means you should expect heavy traffic in the days leading to and after Turkey Day, so plan ahead, to avoid accidents and delays we recommend the following Thanksgiving Safety Tips:

  • Check the weather along your route, make sure to subscribe to a service that can provide updates, and drive around storms never through.

  • Make sure everyone in the car is wearing their seatbelts.

  • Don’t drink and drive.

  • Don’t drive if you are extremely tired, it is better if you stop and rest for a bit, or have one of your companions take the wheel while you rest.

  • Do not text while you are driving, it is deadly and illegal.

  • Respect the speed limit, road signs, and general rules of the road.

  • Keep your distance from other vehicles.

  • Make sure your windshield is clean, and headlights, taillights, and signal lights are all working properly.

  • Turn your headlights on at dusk, or if it is raining.

Hands holding paper cutout of a family

Thanksgiving Cooking Safety

Thanksgiving Safety Tips are particularly important to keep in mind when cooking. For those of you hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, safety should be your number one priority, there are many Thanksgiving Safety Tips to consider:

Turkey Safety

This is the star of the evening, and therefore it should be handled with extreme care when you are preparing it.

  • If you are buying a fresh turkey, wait until the last possible moment and certainly no more than 2 days before cooking it, keep it in the refrigerator at a 40°F or less.

  • If your turkey is frozen, the USDA recommends you thaw it in the fridge, alternately you could use cold water or the microwave if you are running short on time.

  • Wash your hands with soap and water before handling any food to prevent the spread of infection and other illnesses.

  • Do not wash the turkey, this only serves to spread viruses and bacteria onto kitchen surfaces.

  • Keep the uncooked turkey separated from other foods to avoid contamination.

  • Cook the turkey until it reaches a temperature of 165°F, fully cooking the bird is the only way to ensure any bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses has been eliminated.

turkey in an oven

Cooking Safety

Sadly, Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking fires. The good news is that with a little preparation and some simple Thanksgiving Safety Tips as guidelines, these can easily be avoided.

  • Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing and long dangling sleeves when cooking, to avoid your clothing catching fire.

  • Never leave the stove unattended.

  • Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the stove or oven as steam or splashing from hot liquids can cause severe burns.

  • Keep children away from knives and other sharp kitchen utensils.

  • Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.

  • Keep items like kitchen towels, pot holders, oven mitts, and wooden utensils away from heat sources as they could catch fire.

  • Keep your kitchen clean, grease build-up can easily start a fire.

  • Before going to bed check the oven and stove top to ensure everything is turned off.

  • Store leftovers properly in the fridge.

Have a Safe and Blessed Thanksgiving from All of Us!

Thanksgiving thank you banner

Cuts and burns can happen to the best of chefs, and most won’t require medical attention, but, if you happen to seriously injure yourself or someone that’s with you gets hurt, we’re open 24 hours a day through the Thanksgiving Holiday at Altus Emergency Centers. With any luck we will have you back in time to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner. Have a Happy Thanksgiving Weekend from all of us at Altus Emergency Centers!

Altus Emergency Room Baytown

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