With Thanksgiving right around the corner, here are a few tips to stay safe and healthy!
One of the most common causes of going to the ER on Thanksgiving Day is accidental cuts to the hand. Try to avoid distractions when working with knifes, and make sure to use a carving fork when cutting up the turkey. Thankfully, most of the injuries can be treated with stitches, but some require a trip to the hand surgeon, so please be careful!
Each year, the rate of residential fires nearly doubles during this time of year. If you are leaving the house, make sure to check that the oven and stove are off. If you deep fry the turkey, make sure to do that outside, never inside. Before frying, always make sure the turkey is thawed, as placing a frozen turkey in hot oil can cause a dangerous explosion.
Poultry like chicken and turkey carry bacteria, the most common one being Salmonella. Under-cooked turkey can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and fevers that can become life-threatening. The recommended temperature for a cooked turkey is at least 165° F. Make sure you use a thermometer to check this before serving your turkey.
If you have any questions on cooking your turkey, you can call the Butterball Hotline (even on Thanksgiving Day) at 800-BUTTERBALL/800-288-8372.
Tasty Thanksgiving dishes can be full of salt. For people with heart issues or chronic edema, extra salt can be dangerous. If you have these conditions, please monitor your salt intake and be wary of what you are eating.
Lastly, please be careful on the road. Unfortunately, drunk drivers will be out driving recklessly on the holidays. Monitor how much you drink, and be extra attentive on the road. Drive safe!
Happy Thanksgiving from Countryside Neurology! Stay safe, and enjoy the holidays!
Sources:
Nadler, Jonathan. “Avoid These Common Health Perils of Thanksgiving.” Harvard Health, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/avoid-these-common-health-perils-of-thanksgiving-2016111810694.
