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Play it Safe Over Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday for many of us. With no gifts to buy, the focus is instead on gathering with loved ones and giving thanks for all of the good people and things in our lives. Of course, there is plenty of eating, watching parades, football on television, and maybe catching up on some sleep with a turkey-induced post-dinner nap.
The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel times of the year. Anytime you have an increased amount of drivers on the road, there is an increased likelihood of accidents. Thanksgiving is also one of the most common days of the year for fires, due in part to all the commotion in the kitchen for a holiday centered almost exclusively on food. At Sabuco, Beck, Hansen, Massino & Pollack, P.C., we wish you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and have compiled this list of Thanksgiving safety tips to ensure that you and those you love stay safe. If you are injured in a car or kitchen accident on Thanksgiving, you could potentially recover your losses through a personal injury claim.
Thanksgiving Driving Tips
According to the National Safety Council, over 40 million drivers take to the roads to visit loved ones near and far on Thanksgiving. This many drivers makes the holiday weekend one of the most dangerous of the year in terms of the risk for car accidents and collisions. Reduce your risk of being hurt or injured in an accident by following these Thanksgiving travel safety tips:
- Plan ahead and leave early for your destination. Know the route you will take, expect traffic, and avoid speeding or tailgating;
- Keep children properly secured and provide books or CDs for their entertainment. Make sure your pet travels in a carrier and stop frequently to provide opportunities for water and exercise;
- Beat the crowds by avoiding peak travel times;
- Watch the weather reports for travel advisory, and use caution on wet or slippery roads; and
- Avoid distractions while driving, such as text messaging.
If you are drinking, do not get behind the wheel. Be mindful of any prescription medication you are taking that could impair your judgment.
Kitchen Fire Safety Tips for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is all about spending time with loved ones. Feeding everyone means plenty of time spent in the kitchen. According to the American Red Cross, the kitchen is the setting for more home fires than any other room in the house and cooking itself is the leading cause of the majority of home fires. Follow these Thanksgiving cooking safety tips to ensure a fun and fire-free holiday:
- Stay in the kitchen while cooking and do not leave ovens or stove tops unattended;
- Make sure little ones stay at least three feet away from the stove or any hot surfaces;
- Be sure and keep potholders, oven mitts, and wood serving utensils away from burners;
- Keep a fire extinguisher handy, and get training in how to use it; and
- Check the kitchen before leaving or going to bed to ensure everything is turned off.
If you have not already, make sure you have fire alarms on every floor of your home and in all sleeping areas. Check to make sure your alarms have batteries that they are working properly to ensure the safety of both you and your guests.
Contact Our Experienced Will County Personal Injury and Car Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one suffers an injury or accident, contact our experienced Will County personal injury and car accident attorney today. At Sabuco, Beck, Hansen, Massino & Pollack, P.C., we provide aggressive legal representation to ensure you get the compensation you deserve for your medical expenses, lost wages, property damages, and pain and suffering after an injury. With offices throughout Will County and the surrounding area, call Sabuco, Beck, Hansen, Massino & Pollack, P.C. today at (815) 730-8860 for an initial consultation.
