Holiday Safety Tips Curtesy of The National Safety Counsel

Can You Believe it's Almost Thanksgiving? Another holiday season is upon us - travel, family dinners, parties and more food than you can possibly eat. It all kicks off with Thanksgiving, the "feast-iest" time of year.  Thanksgiving also can be a dangerous time of year. While we don't recommend dwelling on the hazards of Thanksgiving, National Safety Council encourages families to always be mindful of risks. Nothing can permanently mar this joyous time of year faster than the injury - or death - of a loved one.  Over the River and Through the Woods During Thanksgiving, most people choose to travel by automobile, the deadliest form of transportation, according to Injury Facts 2015. In 2013, 360 people died on U.S. roads during Thanksgiving weekend, more than were killed during the New Year's and Memorial Day holidays.  What can you do to stay safe on the roads?  Many distractions exist while driving but cell phone use tops the list; leave your phone in the glove compartment Don't ever drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs (that includes prescriptions)  Always wear a seat belt, and don't drive off until everyone is buckled up Slow down; speeding is a factor in almost one-third of all fatal crashes Plan ahead for possible inclement weather and time your trip accordingly If You Can't Stand the Heat ... Kitchen fires are the leading cause of home structure fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. And, if you deep-fry your turkey, the risk is much greater.    A turkey fryer should never be used indoors. But even when used outdoors, mishaps can cause serious injury. In fact, NFPA "discourages the use of outdoor, gas-fueled turkey fryers that immerse turkey in hot oil," due to the risk of "devastating burns" and destruction of property. Learn more about the risks here.   General rules apply year-round when it comes to fire prevention. NSC offers advice on smoke alarm installation, and the Consumer Products Safety Commission offers the following advice for cooks:  Avoid loose-fitting clothing that can catch fire near a stovetop Turn pan handles toward the back of the stove to prevent children from spilling hot pots Keep a pan lid handy to smolder flames Never pour water or flour on a kitchen fire; that can make it worse Keep a fire extinguisher nearby Never leave hot pots unattended  Leave the house and call 911 immediately if a fire gets out of hand Just a Flesh Wound? There are so many sharp, hot and slippery hazards in the kitchen, it's no wonder things can go wrong. Lacerations and other injuries can become a problem for a stressed out chef in a hurry to get the Thanksgiving feast on the table. Consumer Reports recommends you:  Keep knives sharpened and use a cutting board that doesn't slide; a damp towel underneath will hold it in place Don't put glass cookware on a burner or under a broiler; it can shatter Don't leave your blender or food processor on too long to avoid overheating Don't boil water in the microwave; it can "violently erupt" and cause scalding Food Poisoning Thawing and preparing a 20-pound bird can be challenging in more ways than one. To avoid serving bacteria or parasites to your guests, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following:  Thaw your turkey at a safe temperature; bacteria can multiply rapidly at temperatures above 40 degrees To safely thaw a turkey, leave it in the refrigerator for several days, submerge it in cold water or use the microwave Utensils, your hands and work surfaces can become contaminated when they come in contact with raw poultry; clean these areas thoroughly before they touch other food Cook stuffing outside the turkey in a casserole dish If you must stuff the bird, do it right before cooking and make sure it reaches 165 degrees before serving Find more information at Foodsafety.gov.    Choking Choking is the fourth leading cause of unintentional injury deaths. While it is a hazard for all ages, choking deaths are more prevalent in the elderly and in children. NSC has information on everything from signs of choking, to statistics, to Heimlich Maneuver techniques. It doesn't hurt to be prepared.  Alcohol Facts With Thanksgiving kicking off more than two months of seasonal festivities, we would be remiss without mentioning some specific risks related to alcohol. You'll find this information in Injury Facts 2015, and in our featured webinar this month, Alcohol and Injury: Use Employer Interventions to Promote Safety and Protect Your Business. More than 10,000 people died in alcohol-impaired crashes in 2013 The cost of alcohol-related crashes that year is estimated at nearly $50 billion 2,155 people died of alcohol poisoning in 2011 - mostly males Alcohol is involved in 33% of suicides, 57% of sexual assaults and 28% of domestic violence cases Drinking-related injuries cause more than 40,000 deaths per year In the workplace, costs of alcohol abuse are substantial and include loss of productivity and safety risks 9% of employed adults have diagnosable alcohol abuse, and fewer than 1% are identified and treated by their health plan 50% of all trauma patients are intoxicated In one-third of alcohol-related deaths, the victim is sober Schools, businesses, churches and other organization should play an active role in identifying someone who may have an alcohol problem  For more safety tips this holiday season visit The National Safety Counsel