Have a Safe Thanksgiving Holiday

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.