Where’s the LAST place you want to spend Thanksgiving? I’m guessing the ER.
But while most families are busy preparing turkey, traveling to Grandma’s, or playing their annual backyard football game, emergency physicians are treating everything from food poisoning and kitchen burns to car accidents and football injuries.
And here’s something you may not know: Thanksgiving is actually the #1 day of the year for home cooking fires.
The good news? Many of these emergencies are preventable. As an ER doctor and mom, here are my tips for keeping your family safe—and OUT of my ER—this Thanksgiving.
1. In the Kitchen: The Biggest Risks May Surprise You
Food poisoning: An estimated 1 in 6 Americans gets food poisoning every year. And Thanksgiving presents plenty of opportunities for bacteria to multiply.
- Don’t wash your turkey! I know, Grandma may have taught you otherwise. But washing raw turkey actually spreads bacteria around your sink, countertops, and nearby food.
- 165°F is your magic number. Your turkey needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a food thermometer, checking the thickest parts of the breast, thigh, and wing area. If you cook stuffing inside the bird, the center of the stuffing must ALSO reach 165°F.
- Remember the 2-hour rule. Refrigerate perishable leftovers within two hours. That turkey sitting on the buffet all afternoon? Not worth the risk.
Burns and fires: According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking fires. And 25% of home cooking fires involve unattended equipment.
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop, and check the oven regularly.
- Keep children away from hot pans, oven doors, and dangling pot handles. I recommend creating a three-foot kid-free zone around the stove.
- Deep-frying a turkey? Never use a propane turkey fryer indoors, in a garage, or on a covered porch. And NEVER put a frozen or partially frozen turkey into hot oil.
Knife injuries: Between chopping vegetables and carving the turkey, there’s plenty of opportunity for sliced fingers. Use a stable cutting board, sharp knives, and don’t rush. (And maybe let someone other than the person who’s already had three glasses of wine carve the turkey.)
2. At the Table: Enjoy Your Food—But Know Your Risks
Thanksgiving is NOT the day I’m going to tell you to skip the mashed potatoes or pumpkin pie. Enjoy them!
But a few things are worth remembering:
- Food allergies: If someone at your table has a food allergy, don’t assume a dish is safe just because it looks familiar. Ask about ingredients and cross-contact, especially in casseroles, gravies, and desserts.
- Salt overload: For people with heart failure, kidney disease, or certain other medical conditions, the sodium in a holiday meal can be a real issue. Follow your usual dietary and medication recommendations.
- Don’t dismiss chest pain as indigestion. Yes, big meals can cause heartburn. But heart attacks can also feel like indigestion. New, persistent, or concerning chest discomfort—especially with sweating, shortness of breath, or nausea—needs immediate medical attention.
3. In the Backyard: Beware the Annual Turkey Bowl
Ah, the annual Thanksgiving football game. Where Uncle Bob, who hasn’t sprinted since last Thanksgiving, suddenly decides he’s ready for the NFL.
As an ER doctor, I can tell you: Those backyard games can end in sprains, fractures, and sometimes much more serious injuries.
- Warm up before playing, especially if you haven’t exercised regularly.
- Choose touch football over tackling. You can still have plenty of fun without sending someone to the ER.
- Make sure the playing field is clear of holes, obstacles, and slippery leaves.
- Don’t push through chest pain, dizziness, or unusual shortness of breath.
4. On the Road: Don’t Let the Trip to Grandma’s End in the ER
Between crowded highways, long drives, and holiday celebrations, it’s worth taking a few precautions.
- Buckle everyone up, every time, and make sure children are in the appropriate car seat or booster.
- Plan ahead for a sober driver if alcohol is part of your celebration.
- Don’t drive drowsy. If you’re struggling to stay awake, pull over rather than trying to power through the last hour.
My Thanksgiving wish for you? A day filled with family, great food, maybe a little football—and absolutely NO reason to meet your local emergency physician.
Happy Thanksgiving!
