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Let’s Talk Turkey, and How to Avoid Thanksgiving Injuries

Maybe you thought you were being perfectly safe with that turkey fryer. After all, you put it outside, on concrete, and away from any flammable material. And maybe you watched as this seemingly safe setup still went awry, and the flame from the fryer ignited a leak in the hose from the propane tank to the burner. And maybe you thanked your lucky stars and all the smart propane tank designers that you and all your Thanksgiving guests didn’t ignite in a fiery and delicious inferno that day.

Not all of us have had a brush with death on Thanksgiving to make us think twice about our Turkey Day Safety. But luckily, not all of us need that kind of wakeup call. Here’s how to keep you and your family safe this Thanksgiving.

Too Many Turkeys in the Kitchen

Yes, the aforementioned fried turkey can be delicious. But it can also be dangerous. If you haven’t heard by now, maybe listen to the Duck Dynasty dudes, or watch a few terrifying turkey frying videos. You don’t have to be a professional to properly fry a turkey, but you do need to take a few precautions:

  • Fry Outside: And not on your gorgeous wood deck — find a level spot on concrete or another non-flammable surface.
  • Don’t Overfill the Pot: Oil is flammable, so you don’t want it spilling over the sides of the pot when you drop the turkey in; a good idea is to put the turkey in with water before you heat up the pot, pull the turkey out, and mark the water line.
  • Turn Off the Burner While You Put the Turkey In: In case you overfilled the pot.
  • Keep a Fire Extinguisher Handy: Water will only spread an oil fire, so have a real fire extinguisher handy and not just your sink or a hose.

It’s not just fryers that get us into trouble — we can get hurt from food prep to eating, so make sure you read our Thanksgiving Cook Safety Guide to keep you and your guests happy, hale, and whole through the holiday.

Out in the Elements

The weather around the holidays can be frightful. So make sure you’re prepared for any Thanksgiving storms if you’re going to be out on the road. Don’t speed, tailgate, or drink and drive, and watch out or other drivers and construction, snow, or emergency personnel on the road. You should also have a safety kit in your car with first aid supplies, snow chains, and blankets, water, and food if you get stranded.

And if you’re out hunting for your turkey dinner this year, make sure not to shoot your fellow hunters.

Thanksgiving can be a wonderful celebration of friends and family, but it’s not without its legal pitfalls. If you are injured this Thanksgiving holiday, you may want to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney.

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