Thanksgiving is not only one of the most popular holidays in the U.S. but also one of the most dangerous in terms of the large looming threats of tragic accidents. In 2012, there were 764 fatal car crashes and nearly 50,000 non-fatal ones on Thanksgiving Day, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Apart from car crashes, countless injuries happen at home while celebrating Thanksgiving because of all the cooking and alcohol consumption that occurs on this day. In light of these facts, it is essential to adhere to certain precautions, even while you are lost in your holiday mode.
Here are four proven Thanksgiving safety tips for homeowners that you can use to ensure greater safety at home during this holiday season.
1. Ensure Fire Safety
Fried turkey is one of the popular Thanksgiving Day menu items. The bad news is that the process of preparing this delicacy is the leading cause of residential fire outbreaks on Thanksgiving Day. For instance, between 2014 and 2016, the U.S. Fire Department received 2,400 residential fire reports on Thanksgiving Day, most of which were deep fryer fires, as reported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). With this in mind, make sure to prevent deep fryer fire outbreaks by practicing homeowners safety tips such as:
- Using the deep-fryer as recommended by the manufacturer
- Keeping children away from the cooking place
- Deep-frying outdoors on a non-combustible surface
- Keeping the fire extinguisher nearby
2.Eat and Drink Responsibly
On Thanksgiving, most people barely think about their health, let alone the consequences of their actions. An average American consumes about 4,500 calories worth of food and drinks on Thanksgiving Day, an amount way higher than the average recommended calorie count, as reported by the Calorie Control Council. Such reckless consumption patterns would lead to overeating, alcohol poisoning characterized by nausea, impaired brain function, bloating, hyperactivity, dehydration, anxiety, congenital heart disease, and other health disorders. In general, eating and drinking responsibly on Thanksgiving Day can save you from unnecessary hospitalization and substantial healthcare costs.
3.Be Careful with Knives
While slicing vegetables or dissecting the Thanksgiving turkey, you may accidentally cut your hand in the process, leading to a severe injury. A recent report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission indicates that about 37,000 Americans ended up in the emergency room on Thanksgiving Day of 2016, with most injuries being cuts. To prevent knife cuts, you should take extra care when handling knives, especially while using sharper ones. Besides, if you’ve had a little too much to drink, stay away from knives and other sharp objects, and avoid carving the Thanksgiving turkey.
4. Burglarproof Your House
Holidays call for extra caution as break-ins tend to increase significantly, with burglars and thieves constantly looking out for houses devoid of occupants. If you plan to be away during Thanksgiving, make sure you burglarproof your home before leaving by installing alarms, security cameras, and high-quality windows and door locks. You can also ask some trustworthy neighbors to watch your house for suspicious activities while you are away.
Hence, by putting these homeowners safety tips into practice, you can ensure that you and your loved ones are well protected amid all celebrations. Besides, you must also purchase the right home insurance to cover such unexpected damages as may occur during the holiday season.
If you have more questions about homeowners insurance, contact the experts at Mike Leonard Insurance Agency in Texas. We can connect you with our top insurance carriers, including Kemper, MetLife, Nationwide, Travelers, Safeco Insurance, Progressive, and American Strategic Insurance, to find the coverage you need.