Thanksgiving is all about spending time with family and friends, eating good food, and watching football. But, it is also the peak time for hospitals around the country, which see an increase of accident victims come through their doors over the holiday. While you are out enjoying your Thanksgiving, be aware of these five common accidents that occur and do your part to avoid them.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are one of the most common accidents that occur during Thanksgiving. With so many drivers on the road at one time—and being one of the busiest travel days of the year—the chances of a car accident increases exponentially. Additionally, Thanksgiving means cooler temperatures and ice in some regions, which can contribute to vehicle accidents.
If you are planning to drive during the holiday, be aware of your surroundings. Try to leave several days beforehand, if possible, in order to avoid traffic. And, if you plan to drink, have a designated driver take you home.
Read: Do You Need a Car Accident Attorney?
Slip and Fall Injuries
Grocery stores are extremely busy over the holiday, especially with those last-minute shoppers picking up what they need to complete their meals. Slip and fall injuries are more likely to occur during these busy shopping times, because retail workers are too occupied to clean up spills where someone is likely to slip.
As you walk around the store or even on the streets, be aware of the ground beneath you. Keep an eye out for slippery surfaces and if you spot one at the store, report it to a store employee or manager immediately.
Read: How to Avoid a Pedestrian Accident
Burns
Burns, whether it is from cooking or a house fire, are also common during the Thanksgiving holiday. From improperly cooking a turkey to scalding yourself with a pot of boiling potatoes, burns are almost sure to happen.
You can avoid these types of injuries by being cautious in the kitchen, having a fire extinguisher on hand, and just practicing common sense. Burns for children are also very common during Thanksgiving, especially with so many adults distracted with cooking. Make sure all pots and pans with hot items are pushed back out of reach so that young ones cannot pull them down on themselves.
Choking
Choking happens when you eat too quickly or you are distracted with talking or laughing while eating. Also, children may eat too fast or have difficulty eating food that is improperly cut for them. Choking is a life-threatening emergency that can lead to death.
Therefore, be proactive and not only make sure you’re eating slow and chewing properly, but ensure your children have food that is cut up and that they are not playing as they eat.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning, unfortunately, occurs a lot more than people realize on Thanksgiving. Improper handling of the raw turkey or improper storage of food items are often the reason you’ll find yourself feeling violently ill only a few hours after the feast. The elderly, pregnant women and children are especially at risk – because food poisoning could lead to more serious conditions, such as kidney failure.
If you’re cooking, make sure you refrigerate perishable foods right away and never thaw your turkey overnight on the counter. Wash your hands, utensils, and all cooking instruments well before using them and avoid cross-contamination by cleaning knives and cutting boards in between use. All raw meats should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure bacteria have been removed.
Consult with a West Palm Beach Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you become injured over this year’s Thanksgiving holiday, whether from an accident, burn or other type of injury, you need a personal injury attorney by your side to represent your case.
The Law Team at Fetterman and Associates, PA can help. We have years of experience helping individuals with their injuries and ensuring they receive adequate compensation for them. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Shocking stats about accidents in the state of Florida, Learn about it: https://lawteam.com/2016/09/16/statistics-about-accidents-in-florida/