This year, Thanksgiving falls on the 23rd of November. We’re all looking forward to the holiday. It’s a special time for friends and family. For many of us, Thanksgiving brings back memories of childhood, family, and simpler times, before we had adult responsibilities.
But for all its wonder, Thanksgiving can be a dangerous time for American families. Traffic is bustling around Thanksgiving weekend. In 2015, for instance, 46.9 million Americans traveled more than 50 miles to celebrate the holiday. And with many Americans travelling a good deal farther than that, there’s good reason to be careful on the roads.
Even off the roads, there are serious safety hazards. Millions of American families will be cooking their holiday meals at home, so it’s no wonder that Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, ahead of Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
That’s why we’ve gathered a few safety tips for the season.
Road Safety
- As always, the No. 1 safety tip is to follow the rules of the road. With the heavy traffic that’s bound to be on the roads, it’s more important than ever that you do basic things like observing the speed limit, paying attention to the road, and wearing your seat belt.
- Plan out long trips. Pay attention to the weather conditions, and do your best to avoid any storms in your path.
- Another tip for long trips: take breaks. Stretch your legs at the rest stops. Rotate drivers every once in a while to reduce strain as much as possible.
- Most importantly: Don’t drink and drive!
Home Safety
- Pay close attention to any food as it’s cooking. Never leave the kitchen while the stove is on. Never leave the house empty if the oven is on.
- Check your smoke alarms. Replace the batteries if they need it. Fire is a serious risk all the time, but especially with all the big meals cooked during Thanksgiving. (On Thanksgiving 2015, American fire departments responded to an estimated 1,760 home cooking fires.)
- Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen.
- Child-proof the cooking area. Keep matches, lighters, knives, electrical cords, etc., out of the reach of children.
- Don’t let any children come within three feet of the stove if it’s hot—and it will be hot if the oven is on!
- Keep the floor clear to avoid tripping, especially in the kitchen area.
- Clean your cooking area to avoid oil or grease buildup.
We wish you and your family a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
Contact Our Firm
If you or a loved one has been injured during the holidays, the Connecticut personal injury attorneys at the Law Office of Ronald M. Scherban, P.C. can help. Time is of the essence, so it is important to reach out to us as soon as possible. Our legal team will review your case and determine your best course of action moving forward.
The Law Office of Ronald M. Scherban, P.C. represents clients in the greater New Haven area and the entire state of Connecticut. Call us today at (203) 290-1333 to learn more about what we can do for you.