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Having a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving
Written by
Katie Lawson
, Staff Writer, Redcross.org
Tuesday, November 22, 2005 — Thanksgiving – a time for good food, family, friends and recounting all the things for which we are thankful. While diets may be tossed aside for a day of feasting with reckless abandon, safety doesn’t take a holiday. Whether in the kitchen or at the dinner table, don’t be a turkey – follow these simple tips for a happy and safe holiday.
The Temperature’s Rising
It isn’t surprising that cooking on Thanksgiving Day – often an all day affair – can make the kitchen pretty toasty by dinner time. Whenever hot appliances are being used for extended periods of time, it is generally a good idea to keep young children out of the kitchen and out of harm’s way.
If the kids want to assist in helping with the Thanksgiving feast, they should always be supervised and all hot or sharp objects should be placed well out of their reach. Curious children love to pull and grab at things so keep all handles of pots and pans turned inward on the stove, so they aren’t accessible to shorter helpers.
Looking nice for family and friends is a priority but loose clothing should never be worn in the kitchen while cooking over the stove. Wear tighter fitting clothing and avoid baggy sleeves to prevent charring your favorite outfit.
Never leave cooking food unattended in the kitchen especially things being prepared over a flame. When the food is ready, turn off the stove top or oven. It is important to shut off all appliances immediately after use to allow them to cool properly and prevent fire. Just in case something was to go wrong in the kitchen, be sure you know how to properly operate a fire extinguisher.
Don’t Feel the Burn
When taking that succulent bird and “all the trimmings” out of the oven, be sure to use potholders. A good rule of thumb is to treat every dish, pot and pan that is handled in the kitchen as if it is piping hot.
In the event of a burn, run cool tap water over the affected area to soothe the skin. Then cover the burn with a sterile dressing or clean cloth. This will greatly reduce the chances of infection. If the burn is severe and blistering occurs, dial 9-1-1 for more assistance.
Holiday candles around the house provide a warm, inviting glow during the festivities on Thanksgiving Day, but they should never be left burning unattended. Take extra care to supervise children in rooms with lit candles, and keep candles, matches and lighters out of their reach.
Getting All Choked Up
Often during the day, appetizer trays and crudités are set out to stave off hunger before the big meal. While palate pleasing, they present a choking hazard for young guests. These trays, containing raw veggies, relishes, cheese cubes, olives and grapes, should be kept out of the reach of young children who may not be able to easily chew them.
One of the main causes of choking is poorly chewed food. Laughing and talking excitedly while eating or eating too fast also can make it harder to chew and swallow correctly. Small foods such as nuts, cheeses, and raw vegetables pose a choking hazard for adults as well as children because they may not get chewed adequately and often are consumed while conversing. Drinking alcohol can dull the nerves that assist in swallowing so take care to drink responsibly.
No 'Gobble, Gobble' Here
When you sit down to the much-anticipated turkey, stuffing and other Thanksgiving staples, it can be hard not to dig right in. Though the meal is delicious, be sure to take the time to chew all foods thoroughly and eliminate the risk of choking.
Children get just as excited about the Thanksgiving meal as adults do; there are several precautions to take to help prevent children from choking. Keep a close watch on the youngsters at the kiddie table, make sure their food is cut properly into small pieces and that they are taking time to chew their food. Even though the food may be delicious, don’t let them eat too fast.
Don’t forget about those four-legged family members. It is certainly tempting to throw a bone to the well-behaved Fido or Fluffy but don’t give in to temptation. Poultry bones are hollow so they break and splitter easily and get chewed less, which can cause pets to choke or do even worse damage to their digestive systems. Also, use care in sharing other table scraps as their canine and feline systems may have trouble with the rich holiday foods. That’s not just good advice for their health and safety; it’s a good tip for preserving rugs and upholstery. Stick to pet food and treats – they’ll thank you for it.
First Aid Training
The American Red Cross has courses in CPR and First Aid, where you can learn valuable skills to keep you and your loved ones safe in the event of an emergency – big or small. To learn more about first aid programs or additional training, contact your local chapter.
This Thanksgiving, as you celebrate, remember these simple precautions to have a safe as well as a happy holiday.
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