Thanksgiving time is a happy and festive time where we get the opportunity to relax, enjoy good food, and reconnect with family that we may not have seen in a while. However, all of the excitement and fun can lend itself to some injuries during the holiday weekend. Listed below are some of the most common injuries that occur during this festive time.
Food Poisoning
The Thanksgiving holiday is known for the variety of foods and overindulgence in those foods. With any type of food or meal preparation, there’s a chance of food poisoning. There could even be a higher chance for foods that have been prepared on Thanksgiving because of the way those foods are prepared and stored. With all of the hustle and bustle of the day and the distractions from family and guests, food often tends to get left sitting out for long periods of time, or food spoils from being prepared and stored carelessly, or leftovers are reheated improperly — all of which could lead to food poisoning.
Fires or Burns
With a big component of Thanksgiving celebrations involving food, it is no big surprise that Thanksgiving Day has the highest amount of cooking-related fires than any other day. These could occur through deep-frying the turkey or leaving the stove unattended for a while or while using the oven. These fires and hot oil spills or splatter can also cause serious burns.
Knife Injuries
Another potential danger of cooking is the increased likelihood of knife wounds. It is important to keep your knives sharp as dull knives are more likely to slip, leading to injuries.
Domestic Violence
During Thanksgiving, the number of family members and friends who are under one household can become very overwhelming. Which could lead to an increased chance of disagreements arising between people. Oftentimes, these disagreements can lead to family fights and other serious altercations. Unfortunately, because of these serious altercations and fights, people could find themselves with injuries and even visiting the emergency room.
Alcohol Consumption and Overindulging
Thanksgiving Day is considered one of the deadliest days of the year due to the number of traffic accidents caused by the consumption of alcohol. Overindulging in alcohol can also result in you visiting the emergency room because of alcohol poisoning. Overindulging in food has also led to hospital visits, as heartburn or indigestion can be mistaken for more serious symptoms. Thanksgiving is a time for family and festivities and togetherness. However, the fun and festivities can quickly turn bad if proper care and precautions are not taken in the preparation of food. If you or a loved one finds them in one of the circumstances above, it could be worth discussing your situation with a personal injury lawyer from a law firm like Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC. Contacting a professional could help you navigate this difficult time.