The 4 Most Dangerous Thanksgiving Accidents

Thanksgiving is one of the most widely celebrated holidays and a great time for family and friends to gather together and celebrate the things they are thankful for.  It’s also a time people end up afflicted by more accidents and injuries and in fact, more people visit the emergency room during the holidays than any other time of the year.  Our team at Robes Law Group wishes you a very Happy Thanksgiving. We also want you to have a safe holiday and with that in mind, we discuss some of most common Thanksgiving accidents and safety tips for you to keep in mind as you share the holiday with loved ones.

1. House Fires

There are more than three times as many home cooking fires on Thanksgiving as a typical day of the year, making it by far the leading day for US Home cooking fires.  These celebrations involve cooking elaborate meals, with several dishes being prepared at once, and are often paired with alcohol consumption and other family distractions. These distractions combined with electric ranges, hot oils, and even poorly maintained fireplaces can lead to disaster. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports forty-five percent of home fire injuries and one-fifth home fire deaths are the result of cooking accidents.  Unattended equipment, like the popular turkey fryer, is the leading cause of cooking fires and fatalities.  If you plan to deep fry a turkey this year, plan to do so outside. Grease fires can’t be extinguished with water. Instead, use the lid to smother the flames or cover the fire with baking soda or flour.  You should never leave cooking unattended, even if it’s outside, especially when frying or sautéing with oil.  Always keep flammable items like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels a minimum of three feet from the cooking area. It’s also recommended to use timers to keep track of cooking times and to check on items cooking in the oven frequently to ensure food doesn’t become overcooked.  Lastly, if you plan to use your fireplace make sure that you have it cleaned professionally, protect it with grill or screen, and always have a fire extinguisher nearby.

2. Car Accidents

Thanksgiving is one of the nation’s deadliest holidays and car accidents play a big part in that.  It comes as no surprise that when people are navigating unfamiliar roads, driving later at night, or the traffic volume increases the number of car accidents go up as well.  According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), no holiday leads to more fatal car accidents.  At least forty percent of fatal car accidents on Thanksgiving involved crashes with drunk drivers and about sixty percent of passengers were not wearing seatbelts.  The NHTSA reminded drivers to check that their tires were properly inflated and their windshield wipers were in working order with fluid filled to potentially fight through winter storms.  They also recommend leaving early enough, if traveling, to allow plenty of time to safely get to your destination, always wear a seat belt, and to never drive impaired.

3. Slip and Fall Injuries

 

Slip and fall injuries ranging from minor bruises to severe bone, muscle, and nerve damage are more common during Thanksgiving and the day after, known as Black Friday, a day infamous in retail stores and shopping outlets.  Grocery stores can become jam-packed with customers fighting for last minute items and they may have difficulty quickly cleaning up spills because of the influx of people and increased workload for employees and this can lead to more hazardous conditions and an increased potential for slip and fall injuries.

4. Food Poisoning

Food poisoning frequently occurs during Thanksgiving. If raw turkey or poultry is handled improperly or the food is not stored correctly, then family or friends could become ill after eating.  Raw poultry is a fertile breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to serious consequences such as salmonella poisoning. It is also especially important for children and pregnant women to avoid the risk of food poisoning.  They face a potentially higher risk of health consequences such as kidney failure.  The symptoms of food poisoning include vomiting, nausea, and digestive problems and usually manifest within twelve to thirty-six hours of eating contaminated food.  Always thaw the turkey in the refrigerator to make sure it stays at the proper temperature and cook any raw meats to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure any bacteria have been killed.

If you or a loved one has been injured during Thanksgiving due to the negligence of someone else, contact our experienced South Florida Personal Injury Attorneys right away. Our attorneys at Robes Law Group have extensive experience dealing with personal injury cases and may be able to help you collect the compensation you deserve.