Thousands of accidents occur yearly on Turkey Day, but luckily, most are entirely preventable. Here, the legal team at Stewart Law Offices offers tips to keep yourself and your family safe this Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season.
Kitchen Safety
On Thanksgiving Day, the kitchen is where all the action happens. While many people enjoy the hustle and bustle of Turkey Day cooking, it can lead to more accidents in the kitchen. Here are some tips for decreasing the risk of injury in and around the kitchen:
- Keep surfaces clean and keep the floor clear of obstacles.
- Do not leave food unattended in the oven or on the stovetop. Do not leave the house while the range or other kitchen appliances are on. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires and fire deaths.
- Keep young children out of the kitchen while cooking or preparing food.
- Wash your hands before and after handling food, especially raw meat.
- Sanitize all surfaces that come in contact with raw meat.
- Cook turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Stick a thermometer in the innermost part of the thigh and the thickest portion of the breast to confirm.
- Do not leave food out for longer than two hours.
- Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen, turn off the stove.
- If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly and remain in the home. Set a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
- Keep anything that can catch fire, oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains away from your stovetop.
Fire Prevention
According to the NFPA, more house fires occur on Thanksgiving than on any other day. Christmas Day and Christmas Eve rank as the second- and third-leading days of the year for home cooking fires. To prevent fires in the kitchen and elsewhere, take the following precautions:
- Check your smoke detectors to ensure they work before Thanksgiving Day.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
- Do not leave food unattended while cooking.
- Set a timer to alert you when to check on food.
- Keep flammable objects away from the stove, such as oven mitts, food packaging, and towels.
- If a fire occurs in the oven, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
- NFPA strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers that use cooking oil, which can cause devastating burns. Consider purchasing a fried turkey from a grocery store or restaurant, or buy an oil-free turkey fryer.
- Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drinks are prepared or carried.
- If you have a small grease fire and decide to fight it, use your lid or a larger pan to smother it. Turn off the burner and never move the pot.
- In case of an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you or your clothing.
Holiday Traveling Tips
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the Thanksgiving 2025 holiday period is estimated to result in 439 road fatalities. Thanksgiving consistently ranks among the deadliest travel periods of the year. Keep your family safe on the road this holiday season by following these tips:
- Make sure your car is in good working order before holiday travel. Check the oil, tire pressure, and windshield wiper fluid.
- Make sure everyone in the vehicle has their seatbelts fastened at all times. Studies show seat belts are 45% effective in preventing fatalities among front-seat passenger car occupants. An estimated 157 lives may be saved during the Thanksgiving holiday period if vehicle occupants wear their seat belts.
- Plan your route ahead of time and try to avoid rush hours. Try to travel on Thanksgiving morning before 11:00 AM when traffic tends to be lighter. Avoid returning home on Friday through Sunday afternoon if possible.
- Check the weather forecast and avoid driving in inclement conditions if possible.
- Keep extra snacks, water, and a first aid kit in the car.
- Never text and drive.
- Do not drive while intoxicated. Remember, “buzzed driving is drunk driving.” Designate a sober driver, use a rideshare service, or stay overnight if you’ll be drinking.
For All Personal Injury Cases, Call Stewart Law Offices Today
Taking every precaution will not eliminate all risks. You may still encounter drunk drivers, careless cooks, and unprepared hosts this Thanksgiving holiday. If you are injured in Rock Hill, contact Stewart Law Offices for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer.