With traveling to see family, shopping, and more, Thanksgiving and Black Friday are two of the busiest days of the year. They can also be two of the most dangerous due to increased traffic, large crowds at Reno Town Mall and The Outlets at Legends, impaired drivers, and more. It’s crucial to prioritize safety to ensure that these special days are memorable for the right reasons and not for Thanksgiving and Black Friday injuries
In this blog, the Reno personal injury lawyers at Lerner and Rowe offer some tips to stay safe during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday Injuries Statistics
Both Thanksgiving and Black Injuries are unfortunately common. While Thanksgiving is a day to relax and eat with family and friends, Black Friday is a busy shopping day focused on finding the best deals, both foster environments for injuries. Here are some statistics on Thanksgiving and Black Friday injuries:
- According to the National Safety Council (NSC), there were 514 deaths over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 2021.
- Insurers report an increase in accident claims filed on Black Friday spike.
- As of 2022, there have been 17 Black Friday-related deaths since 2006.
- Thanksgiving Day is the leading day of the year for home cooking fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Tips to Prevent Thanksgiving and Black Friday Injuries
Stay in the kitchen when cooking
Never leave cooking food unattended. This is especially important when frying food, as hot oil can easily catch fire, leading to burn injuries. Along with kitchen fires, steam is another common cause of burn injuries, especially in children.
Thaw a turkey correctly
If you’re cooking a frozen turkey, make sure to thaw it correctly. The best way to thaw a turkey is in the refrigerator. Allow 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds of turkey. Thawing your turkey fully will allow it to properly cook to the correct temperature in order to prevent food poisoning.
Follow food safety guidelines
Besides thawing your turkey correctly, make sure to practice additional food safety procedures such as storing leftovers promptly, washing your hands after handling raw meat, and keeping raw poultry, meat, and seafood separate to prevent cross contamination.
Use caution with knives
A sharp knife is an essential tool when hosting Thanksgiving dinner, but it’s important to be careful when carving the turkey. Make sure to sharpen your knives before using them. Dull knives are more likely to slip. Remember to always cut away from your body.
Be careful with candles
Candles are a popular holiday decoration, but they can also be a fire hazard and can quickly cause burn injuries. Never leave candles unattended and keep them away from flammable objects such as curtains and tablecloths. To be extra careful, use battery-operated or electric candles.
Keep children and pets away from the kitchen
The kitchen can be a dangerous place for children and pets, especially on Thanksgiving when there’s a lot of hot food and sharp objects around. Keep them out of the kitchen as much as possible.
Have a fire extinguisher on hand
From candles and grease fires, there are many possible home fire hazards during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and make sure everyone in your home knows how to use it.
Clean up spills
Clean up spills immediately, especially slippery cooking oils in the kitchen. Make sure to clear or repair any hazards in your home like clutter in walkways, loose carpet, or uneven sidewalks, especially if you are having guests over to further prevent slips, trips, and falls. Keeping your home free of fall hazards will also help prevent a premises liability lawsuit.
Limit alcohol consumption
It’s always important to know your limit and stay responsible when drinking. Many Thanksgiving and Black Friday injuries can be attributed to alcohol. Alcohol can impair your judgment and coordination, increasing your risk of injury. Remember to never drink and drive. If you’re going to drink over the Thanksgiving weekend, have a designated driver or use a rideshare service.
Drive safely
Traffic is unpredictable and often heavy on the days leading up to Thanksgiving. If you are traveling, be sure to plan your trip ahead of time and check the weather forecast. Allow extra time for your trip in case of bad weather or traffic delays. Black Friday is also another day for heavy traffic, further increasing the risks of car accidents.
Stay away from large Black Friday crowds
Crowds can be dangerous, especially in the rush to get the best deals. If you can, avoid shopping at stores that are known for being crowded on Black Friday. Large stores, such as Best Buy and Target, and big malls, such as Meadowood Mall, are especially popular shopping destinations. It doesn’t take much for a crowd to grow out of control and turn deadly.
Be careful in parking lots
Parking lots on Black Friday are often hectic. Drive carefully when entering and exiting parking lots. Look out for pedestrians and be aware of your surroundings. Distracted driving in Reno is another concern on Black Friday, with many drivers likely looking at their phone.
Call a Reno Personal Injury Attorney
We hope that everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday weekend. By following the tips mentioned in this blog, you and your family can help avoid Thanksgiving and Black Friday injuries. If you or a loved one suffer from Thanksgiving or Black Friday injuries caused by the negligence or recklessness of another, our team of experienced personal injury attorneys can help you obtain compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
You can reach Lerner and Rowe 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone at 844-977-1900, via LiveChat or contact form. Consultations are free and we do not charge any legal fees until monies have been recovered on your behalf. Our legal team gets results. Contact us today to learn what we can do for you.