No one ever wants to end up in the emergency room, but having to go on a holiday is so much worse. While Thanksgiving is supposed to be a day of celebrating with loved ones, it’s actually one of the most dangerous holidays of the year, according to Dr. Reed Caldwell. He’s sort of an expert, having worked in the ER on Thanksgiving for the last 12 years.
Caldwell warns these are the most common accidents and injuries that send people to the emergency room on Thanksgiving.
- Cuts and lacerations - People cut themselves a lot on Turkey Day, especially on their hands and fingers, often because they’re using new tools, like mandolines and especially sharp knives. Talking with guests can easily distract a cook, and if they’ve had a couple glasses of wine, that can make it even harder to focus on the task at hand.
- Burns - A lot of folks end up in the ER on Thanksgiving with burns to the hands, face, forearms, and sometimes even their feet because of dropped food and sauces. Caldwell says the turkey fryer is a common cause of these holiday burns because they get really hot and easily overflow. So, if you plan to fry your bird this year, he recommends cooking mitts that cover your hands, wrists and forearms.
- Orthopedic injuries - Sprains, fractures and concussions are another common reason people have to go to the emergency room on Thanksgiving. It seems the traditional family football game isn’t always great for bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments. The doctor recommends stretching first and not warming up with a bottle of wine when playing.
- Head injuries - Whether it’s from slipping on an icy sidewalk or tripping over a rug inside, head trauma from falls is also common on the holiday. If you’re hosting, Caldwell recommends looking for accidents waiting to happen and trying to make the environment safe for family members at higher risk of falls.
- Stomach troubles - Gastrointestinal illnesses also send a lot of people to the ER on Thanksgiving, sometimes from overindulging in rich meals, or from a virus, or even food poisoning. That’s why handling food properly and safely storing it is crucial, along with washing hands frequently and not sharing utensils. And if you’re sick, stay home so you don’t pass it along to your loved ones. That’s something everyone will be grateful for.
Source: NY Post