Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and this year we’ll be giving thanks if no one ends up in the emergency room. That’s because the holidays create situations where injuries can occur even when we’re not prepared for them. The most common holiday-related injuries include:
- Cooking injuries. Thanksgiving is a holiday about food and family – and with too many cooks in the kitchen trying to keep the turkey moist and the gravy hot, the increases of getting a serious burn increase dramatically. Deep fryers as especially dangerous, and traditional gravies made from pan drippings can seriously scald. Wear protective gloves when you cook, and make sure your turkey is completely defrosted before frying it.
- Carving injuries. Whether you use a traditional carving knife or an electronic one, you need to be careful that your hands are safe – and that nobody’s trying to steal a piece of skin or a drumstick while you’re cutting up your bird.
- Choking. Dry turkey is the major culprit, though the obsessive cramming of food into our mouths (we’re guilty, too) can increase the chance of choking. Supply your guests with plenty of water or cider to keep their mouths and throat wet.
- Eating-related injuries. Heartburn, nausea, blocked intestines and “holiday heart” brought on by excessive alcohol intake can send patients to the ER. Even though it seems counter-intuitive, your best bet is to eat, drink and be merry in moderation.
- Drunk driving injuries. Thanksgiving sees more drunk drivers on the road than any other holiday – including New Year’s. You chances of being hit by drunk driver increase exponentially. Make sure you’re safe to drive (or find a designated driver or taxi service to take you home), and try to avoid leaving too late at night.
- Football injuries. Know that family tradition of flag football you all play? Every year, emergency rooms around Tennessee see a spike in broken bones, fractures and concussions from touch and tackle football games. Make sure you stretch and warm up before you play, and avoid any dangerous grounds (like backyards covered in snow or rain).
We want you to stay safe this holiday season, so that you and your family can enjoy one another’s company and comforts. A few small precautions can help you give thanks from home, not the hospital.
From all of us at Banks and Jones, Happy Thanksgiving!
T. Scott knows the importance of interacting with colleagues to stay abreast of developments and changes in the legal world. T. Scott frequently teaches CLE courses on trial strategy, teaching other lawyers his methods for success in the courtroom, and is certified as a Rule 31 Mediator in the Tennessee Supreme Court. He is a member of the Knoxville Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, the National Trial Lawyers, and both the Tennessee and American Associations for Justice.
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