As we get closer to celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday
with loved ones, we would like to remind everyone to practice safety first. It
is also an excellent time of year to remind children what to do in case of an
emergency. Check out some tips we have compiled for you to make your holiday a
little safer and more prepared.
Traveling
Many families will be on the road traveling to visit
friends and relatives for Thanksgiving. Please remember not to use your cell
phone when you are driving. This includes no texting and driving either. Many cities
have made it illegal to hold a hand-held device while driving. Keep yourself
safe from a ticket and any dangers that come from not keeping your eyes on the
road. It is best to always pull over if you need to talk or text on the phone. Distracted
drivers and any harsh weather conditions can be a recipe for disaster. Remember
to keep alert and dial 9-1-1 if you ever find yourself in an emergency. And always
know your location. Install the FEMA app for Weather Alerts, safety tips,
emergency checklists and more. Here is the link: FEMA
APP
Cooking
People especially enjoy Thanksgiving because of all the
wonderful food you get to eat and share with friends and family. When preparing
any dishes, please remember to be smart and safe. Salmonella is the most common
cause of food poisoning and while it’s normally not fatal, it is widespread. It
is typically found in raw meats, poultry, eggs, milk, fish and their
bi-products. Salmonella can only be destroyed by cooking food thoroughly and
with temperatures above 140 degrees.
Food poisoning usually happens because of poor food
handling practices. Symptoms can include fever, headache, diarrhea, abdominal
discomfort and vomiting. To keep bacteria from entering your body, wash hands,
dishes, utensils, kitchen equipment and work surfaces before and after
handling. If you think you might have been poisoned, please do not hesitate to
contact poison control for help at 1-800-222-1222.
Another great tip is to replace batteries in your smoke detectors
and ensure they are working properly in case of a fire emergency. You should
also keep a fire extinguisher handy and know how to use it. And if you are frying
a turkey, please keep the fryer outside. This will eliminate the chance of
anything catching fire.
Home
Safety
Be smart if you plan to travel away from your home for the
holidays. Do not post that you are going to be out of town on any social media
sites. Secure all windows and doors so there is no easy entry into your home
and set an alarm system if you have one. If you can, have a friend move your
car occasionally while you are gone so it looks like someone is home. If you
ever find yourself in an emergency, please do not hesitate to contact 9-1-1 for help.
Check out the tips below from the National Fire Academy on what ages are appropriate for helping out in the kitchen.
