Thanksgiving Home & Travel Safety Tips

Thanksgiving is almost here! Across the country, tons of people are getting ready for one of the most anticipated feasts of the year. Thanksgiving is a holiday that brings family and friends together to share delicious food, memories, and laughter. In the middle of all this festive activity, it is very important to remember that there are health risks in relation to the holiday, including an increased chance of food poisoning, kitchen fires and travel accidents.

Take a few minutes to read these holiday safety tips to reduce the risks of accidents and to increase the chances of enjoying the holiday without an unexpected disaster.

Food Poisoning

Following these food safety tips can keep your family and friend’s meal safe from bacteria:

Defrosting your bird the right way is very important. Place your bird in a tray or pan to avoid the juices from contaminating surrounding meats and other food. Be safe to keep it refrigerated until it’s ready to prepare.
It can take half a day for every 5 pounds of frozen turkey to thaw. A 20 pound turkey can last up to 4 days to properly thaw. Keep this in mind when planning ahead.
A turkey must be cooked until it reaches an internal temperate of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do not allow leftovers to sit out longer than two hours.

Fire Safety

On Thanksgiving, the risk of a house fire increases by three times of a normal day. Read these tips to avoid a fire ruining your holiday:

Do not leave hot oils or any fatty substance untended while cooking. If you need to walk away, find someone to babysit the stove top or fryer.
Be sure to keep pot holder, oven mitts, hand towels, and other things that could catch fire away from the stove and all open fires.
Keep an eye on children and keep them away from hot stoves and the general kitchen area when oils are being cooked or if anything is being boiled.
Face all pot handles toward the rear of the stove to avoid them from being knocked over.
Avoid wearing long sleeves, hanging clothing, and dangling jewelry while cooking.

Thanksgiving Travel Safety

Out of all of the holidays, thanksgiving is one of the busiest times of the year to travel. With all the enthusiasm, travelers can become more focused on festivities than getting to their destinations as safely as possible. Follow these travel tips to keep everyone safe on the road and in the air:

If possible, plan your travel on the days that are less likely to jam packed with traffic. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday afterward are your best changes to avoid traffic congestion.
Get your vehicle ready with all essential needed for a smooth trio and fill your tank with gas.
Do not get distracted. There will be plenty of time later to check out the photos your family tagged you in and to respond to text messages.
Do not drink and drive.