Thanksgiving Safety Tips: Avoiding ER Visits for Cooking and Other Injuries

Common Thanksgiving Injuries

• ⚠️ The emergency room sees a full gamut of injuries and illnesses on Thanksgiving, many related to the holiday.
• 🔪 Lacerations are frequent, often caused by sharp objects while cooking and chopping.
• 💡 A surprising cause of cuts is a dull knife; pushing too hard can cause it to skid and hit your hand.

Kitchen Safety Practices

• 🔪 When slicing, keep your fingers in a claw-like position to protect them from knives.
• 🦶 Be cautious of injuries to the feet from hot dishes dropped on the floor or people's feet.

Fire Safety During Cooking

• 🔥 For stovetop fires, turn off the burner and smother the fire with a lid; never use water on a grease fire.
• ♨️ If a fire is in the oven, turn the oven off but never open the door, as this provides oxygen and can spread the fire.

Other Holiday Hazards

• 🏈 Backyard football games can lead to injuries, especially for family members who are not regularly active.