THANKSGIVING SAFETY TIPS FROM OUR SACRAMENTO PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching. What are your plans for the Thanksgiving holiday this year? Are you traveling or are you preparing a huge feast at home for family and friends? If you are serving Thanksgiving dinner this year, it can be helpful to review some of the common safety tips to ensure that your Thanksgiving dinner is a success this year.

Safety Tips for Preparing Thanksgiving Dinner

Some of the common safety tips to remember when you are shopping and preparing your Thanksgiving feast include:

• Begin with choosing the best turkey for your celebration. Avoid buying fresh turkeys that are already stuffed. Make sure you keep your turkey refrigerated or in the freezer until it is ready to cook.
• If you purchase a frozen turkey, make sure that you defrost it properly. Defrosting a turkey in the refrigerator is usually the safest method. It usually takes one day per four to five pounds to defrost the entire turkey.
• Cook your turkey immediately after it is thawed. Waiting to cook your turkey could increase the chance of spoilage. Make sure that you follow instructions for cooking a turkey and cook the turkey thoroughly.
• Wash your hands with warm water and soap after touching raw meat and before handling any food.
• Keep your countertops and other surfaces clean.
• Cold food should be left in the refrigerator until it is time to serve. Hot food should be served immediately after taking it from the oven or stove.
• Leftover should be refrigerated within two hours after serving.
• Eat or freeze with leftovers within three days.
• When reheating leftovers, make sure that you reheat them thoroughly.
• Turn pot handles inward to avoid accidentally knocking over hot foods.
• Keep children out of the kitchen!
• Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of fires.

In addition to Thanksgiving safety tips in the kitchen, for the kitchen, other Thanksgiving hostess safety tips include:

• Review the procedure for the Heimlich maneuver. Choking is a hazard during any meal. However, during a Thanksgiving social gathering, talking, laughing, and joking while eating may increase the risk of choking. Call 911 if the person cannot breathe, speak, or cough.
• If you are serving alcohol, you need to monitor your guests closely for over-indulgence. Anyone who has had too much to drink should not drive. Cutting off alcohol a couple of hours before the end of your gathering can help prevent drunk driving.
• When decorating your table and home for Thanksgiving, make sure that you do not use decorations that could be a choking hazard for pets or children.
• Clear your front yard, driveway, and walking to prevent falls when guests are arriving or leaving.
• If you use candles for decorations, make sure they are not within reach of children or near flammable objects.
• Check your smoke alarms and replace the batteries if necessary.
• Provide a safe place for children to play while adults socialize, including age-appropriate activities.

Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving Holiday!

The Tiemann Law Firm wishes everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday. If you need a personal injury attorney during the holiday season, please call our office at (916) 999-9000 or visit our website.