Thanksgiving Safety Tips for New York Citizens and Tourists

Thanksgiving is so close you can almost smell the turkey roasting already. However, before you pack up, visit family, and chow down on the best food holiday of the season, familiarize yourself with a few safety tips first.

At Finz & Finz, P.C., we want to give you and your family valuable Thanksgiving tips to keep your loved ones safe this holiday season. The last thing you want to do is give thanks for the holiday from a hospital bed instead of at the Thanksgiving table with those you love.

Use Caution and Travel Safe 

The days surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday are some of the year’s busiest travel days. AAA expects more than 55.4 million Americans to travel over the holiday weekend. At least 49.13 million Americans are expected to opt for car travel this year, making the roads potentially dangerous for motorists.

According to data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, between 2017 and 2021, at least 830 people lost their lives in crashes involving drunk drivers over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Keeping your family safe this holiday season means watching the roads. Never drink and drive. If you consume alcohol around the dinner table, make sure you designate someone to be your sober driver. You may also want to arrange to stay at a family or friend’s house to avoid driving while inebriated.

Unfortunately, even if you make proactive and safe choices, other drivers are not always as smart. Try to avoid driving when drunk drivers are more likely to be on the roads: late at night and into the early morning hours. You can also watch for potential signs of drunk drivers, which may include:

• Difficulty staying in one lane
• Driving without their lights on 
• Erratic driving 
• Erratic braking 
• Swerving in and out of lanes
• Tailgating

Drunk driving isn’t the only thing that can ruin your holiday travel plans. Inclement weather and poor road conditions can also lead to dangerous car accidents. Plan accordingly. Always check local road and weather conditions before starting your journey. 511NY has up-to-date road conditions to help you stay safe. If the roads are icy or snow-covered, consider postponing your road trip. Your family would rather see you a day late than not at all because of a tragic car crash.

Be Mindful of Common Fire Hazards 

Thanksgiving is one of the best food holidays of the year. Unfortunately, all the time spent in the kitchen can lead to confusion and chaos, creating fire safety hazards for you and your family. In one year, 1,160 home cooking fires were reported on Thanksgiving Day alone. Whether you are visiting family or playing host, use extreme caution when preparing your holiday meal. Grease fires are among the most common causes of home kitchen fires around the holidays. Grease fires occur when cooking oil becomes too hot, anywhere from 375 to 450 degrees, depending on the oil or fat used. 

To control a grease fire, turn off the heat and quickly move the pan to an area of the stove that isn’t hot. Cover the flames with a lid or metal baking sheet. You can also use salt or baking soda to smother the flames and deprive the fire of much-needed oxygen. Never attempt to douse the flames or hot pan in water. Adding water can cause the grease to splash, burning you and bystanders. 

Whether you’ve been preparing large meals for family and friends for years or this is your first time, brush up on kitchen safety before the big day. Read the owner’s manual on your household appliances, especially fryers, if you’re using them. You can also keep loved ones safe while you cook your holiday feast by following some of these kitchen safety tips: 

• Always use oven mitts or other devices to protect your hands from hot cookware 
• Avoid wearing loose clothing while cooking 
• Be sure all smoke alarms and detectors are in working condition
• Completely thaw and dry your turkey before frying 
• Have a working fire extinguisher on hand 
• Keep the handles of pots and pans facing the back of the stove where kids and pets can’t reach them
• Keep the oven door closed 
• Never leave an open flame, oven, or stove top burner unattended 
• Never use a turkey frier indoors and read all instructions before operation
• Read all instructions before using deep fryers or turkey fryers

 A hot meal should never cost you or your family their lives. 

Keep Your Property Safe 

 There is a lot to keep track of over the Thanksgiving holiday. However, all hosts should be mindful of keeping their property safe from everyday hazards and prioritizing household maintenance projects. Slip-and-fall accidents are prevalent when snow and ice cover sidewalks and walkways. However, wet or fallen leaves, uneven walkways, and loose or broken stair railings can all cause devastating accidents. Ensure your home is in good repair before welcoming friends and family for the holiday. Replace loose or torn carpets and shovel and salt outdoor spaces. If you are getting your Christmas decorations out, ensure that cords do not threaten your guests. 

If you or a loved one is injured on someone else’s property this holiday season, immediately report the accident and seek medical attention. You can pursue compensation for your injuries by filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the careless property owner. 

Injured Over Thanksgiving? Talk to an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today 

 The holidays are supposed to be a time for giving thanks and spending time with the people we love. But when things go wrong, a Thanksgiving accident can cause stress and anxiety as you cope with medical bills instead of preparing a meal or shopping for presents.

Fortunately, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. If someone else is to blame for your injuries, an experienced New York accident attorney with Finz & Finz, P.C. can help you pursue the compensation you deserve for your financial losses. Contact us today, and our legal team can review your case and outline your options for pursuing the money you need.