Turkey in the oven, football in hand and family around the home—Thanksgiving is upon us! Thanksgiving often gets overlooked for its big brother, Christmas, but we here at Penny Insurance Agency relish in the opportunity to count our blessings and recognize all the people and experiences for which we are grateful. While this holiday is simply stuffed with gratitude and gravy, there are some insurance implications Thanksgiving brings about that may not be so obvious. With some many details to cover, loved ones to see and football games to watch, safety can often be the last thing on everyone’s minds during the holiday season. Check out our tips below on how you can have a memorable and safe Thanksgiving this year:
Kitchen Safety: Fires, Fryers and Fileting
Thanksgiving will be fraught with distraction but it is pertinent that someone is tuned into what is happening in the kitchen. Do not leave your deep-frying turkeys and flambéing brussel sprouts unattended. Fires are prevalent on Thanksgiving so be mindful of what’s in the oven and always remember to turn off your stove. Carving a turkey and food prep requires a lot of knife work so be aware of what you’re slicing and dicing. Dull knives actually do more damage than sharp ones, so be sure your utensils are prepped and ready for extensive use that day.
Food related injuries/illnesses are the biggest reason people visit the ER on Thanksgiving—from burns to cuts to food poisoning. It’s important to take precautions in the kitchen and minimize your risk.
Tipsy Guests
We all want to have a holly jolly holiday, but do not allow your guests cups to overflow with too much holiday cheer. Limit guests to a certain number of drinks and prepare a space in your home should someone need to spend the night. Keep alcohol out of sight and out of mind for minors.
Feisty Football
We all wish we could be watching the big game from the sidelines instead of the sofa on Thanksgiving. The second-best option is a rousing game of flag football in the backyard. Before you get ready to perfect your victory dance, establish rules for the game and ensure all parties adhere to them (i.e. no tackling). Injuries can happen and you are liable for what happens on your property. Have a first aid kit on hand should any minor injuries occur and put an end to game if it gets too rambunctious.
Holiday on the Road
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at least 40 percent of passengers killed on Thanksgiving are involved in crashes with drunk drivers, and about 60 percent of passengers weren’t wearing their safety belts. The holidays are an exciting time of year, but do not be in a rush to get to the party—give yourself plenty of travel time so you’re not speeding down the highway. Be aware of the weather patterns on your travel days—you may need to make other accommodations or change your travel dates if bad weather is impending. If you get caught in a nasty storm, slow your vehicle to a safe speed or pull over until the storm passes. While the holidays are a special and exciting time, they are not worth risking your safety.
Here at Penny Insurance Agency we are dedicated to helping you reduce your liability and protecting your hard-earned assets. Contact us today on further information on how you can be protected through life’s unexpected twists and turns.
Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!