As Thanksgiving approaches each fall, Americans across the United States start preparing for one of the biggest feasts of the year. It is a time to enjoy family, friends and good food. However, it is important to protect this special time by remembering to put safety first. By spending a few minutes reviewing these tips, people can experience a safe and happy holiday.
- Avoid food poisoning.
- Defrost turkey properly.
- If the bird is still frozen in the middle, it may be uncooked after removing from the oven.
- Keep defrosting turkey in the refrigerator on a pan to prevent its juices from dripping onto other food items
- Keep in mind that turkeys may takes several days to defrost.
- Cook a turkey until its internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. I
- Refrigerate leftovers within a couple hours of serving dinner.
- Keep fire safety in mind.
- Experts say that there are at least three times as many fires on Thanksgiving as there are on any other normal day.
- Do not leave any pans on the stove unattended.
- Keep oven mitts, food wrappers and other flammable items far away from stove tops or candles.
- Keep children out of the kitchen to avoid burns or injuries.
- Point the handles of pots and pans toward the back of the stove to avoid tipping one over.
- Do not wear loose sleeves or baggy clothing that may drag across a stove.
- Always travel safely.
- Thanksgiving is one of the busiest holidays for highways, streets, trains, buses and airlines.
- Have an emergency room kit while driving.
- Travel on less busy days that are not as close to the holiday itself.
- Start a driving trip with a full tank of gas.
- Be sure a vehicle is roadworthy before setting out on a long trip.
- Never drive distracted. Pull over to make a call, answer a text message, eat or do anything else distracting.
- Never drink and drive.
- Follow TSA’s guidelines for liquids and gels,
- Be sure to follow the airline’s requirements for baggage weight and packaging certain items such as food.
There are plenty of other ways individuals and families can stay safer on Thanksgiving. Think about travel plans or party hosting plans in advance to adequately prepare for optimal safety. To learn more about safety and being prepared with insurance, discuss concerns with an agent.
