How to Keep You and Your Family Safe for Thanksgiving

Most people don’t realize the dangers that lie within Thanksgiving. Multiple things can go wrong, Getting burnt, a grease fire, choking, and even harmful thing can happen to dogs. In the next few paragraphs you will see what can happen and what you can do to prevent it.

Fire

The average number of cooking fires doubles on the holiday due to being busy cooking multiple things, also installing a fire detector in the kitchen is very important; there are many ways to avoid fires:

Don’t leave the kitchen unattended while frying or cooking. Use timers and check everything you are cooking. If you’re deep frying a turkey, keep the fryer outside, away from anything that could catch fire or be damage.

Keep pot holders and wrappers away from the stove or other surfaces so they do not melt or catch fire. Try to keep kids far away as possible to so they don’t get burnt or knock something over. Keep the handles of pots and pans facing inward and avoid loose clothes, especially those with long sleeves, while cooking.

Choking

The most common cause of choking is talking while eating. If someone is choking, call 911 immediately. Signs of choking are not being able to cough, breathe, or talk. First take the heel of or hand and hit them him the back 5 times if that doesn’t work precede to the Heimlich maneuver.

Pets

Thanksgiving brings health hazards to dogs. Don’t give turkey bones to pets. Bones and other bird bones are hollow, which makes them likely to splinter. This can tears to happen in the stomach.Fatty turkey skin and gravy, can contribute to pancreatitis. Also make sure any candies or chocolate is put up so your dog doesn’t end up eating any. This can cause serious illness even death in most cases.

Turkey

Eating undercooked turkey is another Thanksgiving health problem. If a turkey is brought to a temperature above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, there is a chance for bacteria to grow. The best way to thaw a turkey is to put it in the fridge, a day for every 5 pounds. Make sure you cook your turkey right after you thaw it. Checking the innermost part of the thighs and breast is the best way to tell if your turkey is done, make sure the temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit, stuffing included. Make sure you let the turkey cool before carving.

Fire Extinguisher

Always make sure you have a fire extinguisher in all areas of your house just in case. Check to see if they are working right and have no problem pulling the pin. Change out your fire extinguisher every 5 to 15 years. If you have a needle on yours and it’s in the green it is good to use. If you have an older one have a professional to look at it

Cross contamination

Cross contaminations can come from many things. For example, messing with raw food and not washing your hands, cutting raw food then cutting something different with the same knife and even if you don’t clean the counter after you had something sitting there. The best way to prevent cross contamination is to wash everything thoroughly, don’t use the same tools for everything, and always was your hands.

Left overs

Left overs should be stored 2 hours after cooking and eaten within 3 to 4 days after. Make sure you heat lefts overs to a temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kid safety

Make sure that during Thanksgiving that anything kids can get hurt on is picked up. This can include electric plugs, tiny pieces of plastic and even plastic bags. Always make sure kids are away from anything in the kitchen that can burn them and away from the turkey deep fryer.

How to use the fire extinguisher

The acronym P.A.S.S. can help make sure you use it properly:

Pull the pin.

Aim the spray nozzle low at the base of the fire.

Squeeze the nozzle to spray the contents.

Sweep back and forth as you spray the base of the fire.

Grease fires

Never put water on a grease fire. Water can make the fire spread more quickly. The best thing to use is a fire extinguisher.