Thanksgiving is a great time of the year to bring together loved ones you haven’t been able to see recently. Sometimes friends and family travel great lengths to come together around a turkey, and sometimes everyone you want to spend the holiday with already lives under your roof. No matter where your loved ones are coming from to see you on Turkey Day, you want them to arrive safe and sound, and stay that way.
Here’s a list of some of the most common accidents around Thanksgiving holiday, and how to avoid them:
- Car accidents: Regardless of your religious beliefs and upbringing, if you live in America, you most likely celebrate Thanksgiving. This huge abundance of celebrants means more people travel around Thanksgiving than any other time of the year, both by plane and automobile. Please always practice defensive driving but be particularly careful over Thanksgiving weekend when there are more motorists out there and possible ice patches if you live in a cold area. Thanksgiving weekend also sees a massive spike in DUI arrests each year, so be mindful that other drivers might have had some wine before leaving their relative’s home.
- House fires: Burn injuries see a rise each Thanksgiving as thousands of house fires are reported each year on Turkey Day. Make certain whoever is in charge of cooking for your friends and family are familiar with the kitchen and appliances they are working with to avoid serious burns. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby just in case and double-check fire alarm batteries before you even start cooking prep.
- Food poisoning: Poultry, be it turkey, chicken, or otherwise, always runs the risk of having salmonella bacteria. Practice sanitation and cleanliness in your cooking space to avoid contamination and always cook foods to recommended temperatures, using a thermometer to gauge it. Food poisoning may not manifest symptoms until 12 to 48 hours after eating contaminated food. If one of your loved ones experiences vomiting, nausea, dysentery, hot flashes, and lethargy, please seek a physician’s help and contact other relatives, as they may soon have symptoms as well.
- Slip and fall accidents: Central Ohio usually doesn’t get too much snowfall in November but it gets some, and ice can build up on pathways without it. Clear the pavement leading to your doorstep before guests arrive to help prevent slip and fall accidents that could result in brain injury or spinal cord damage.
Here at Rourke and Blumenthal LLC, our Columbus personal injury attorneys would like to wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving and safe holiday season. Know that if you or a loved one are injured and you think another party may be to blame, we can assist you with filing a personal injury claim to pursue proper compensation. Call 614.321.3212 today and ask how you can get a free case evaluation, should the need for one arise.