Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and delicious food. However, it’s also a day when safety hazards can increase in our homes.
By applying project risk management techniques to our Thanksgiving preparations, we can ensure a safer, more enjoyable holiday for everyone.
So, lets do a little risk assessment to analyze our thanksgiving and explore seven critical areas of Thanksgiving safety and how to manage their associated risks.
Fire Extinguishers
Smoke Alarms
Deep Fryers
Food Poisoning
Keeping Family Safe
Family Drama
Travel Tips
And we will end with a risk register you can use at your next families Thanksgiving so that we all might have some safety at Thanksgiving!
Fire Extinguisher are Your First Line of Defense for Safety at Thanksgiving
Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and injuries, with Thanksgiving Day being a a peak day for such incidents. To mitigate this risk:
Risk: Kitchen fires due to unattended cooking or flammable items near heat sources.
Probability: Medium Impact: High
Response Strategies:
Keep a fire extinguisher handy in the kitchen. Familiarize yourself with its use before the holiday.
Never leave cooking food unattended, especially when using oil or grease.
Keep flammable items like food wrappers and towels away from the stove and other heat sources.
In case of a small grease fire, use baking soda to extinguish it. Never use water on a grease fire, as it can cause the fire to spread.
Smoke Alarms Ensure Early Warning for Fire Safety
While focus often goes to active fire prevention, don’t overlook the importance of early warning systems. A simple alarm can ensure you have safety at Thanksgiving this year!
Risk: Delayed response to fire due to faulty or absent smoke alarms.
Probability: Low Impact: High
Response Strategies:
Test all smoke alarms before the holiday to ensure they’re functioning properly.
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the kitchen and near sleeping areas.
Consider interconnected smoke alarms, so when one sounds, they all do.
Remember, smoke alarms are your first alert to danger, giving you precious time to evacuate if necessary.
Safety Tips for Deep Frying Turkeys
Deep-frying turkeys has become increasingly popular, but it comes with significant risks if not done properly.
It is actually my favorite way to cook the turkey every year!
But it does come with some SERIOUS risks.
Risk: Severe burns or fire from improper use of turkey fryers.
Probability: Medium Impact: High
Response Strategies:
Use turkey fryers outdoors only, on a sturdy, level surface, well away from buildings and flammable materials.
Never use a turkey fryer on a wooden deck or in a garage.
Ensure the turkey is completely thawed and dry before frying. Ice or water can cause hot oil to splatter or spill.
Have a fire extinguisher ready, and never use water to extinguish an oil fire.
Remember, safety at Thanksgiving should always come before culinary adventure. If you’re not confident in your ability to safely fry a turkey, consider alternative cooking methods.
But if you are confident – I highly recommend it!!!
Food Safety Means Preventing Food Poisoning at Your Thanksgiving Meal
While fire safety is crucial, don’t overlook the importance of food safety in your Thanksgiving preparations.
Risk: Food poisoning from improperly handled or cooked food.
Probability: Low to Medium Impact: Medium to High
Response Strategies:
Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and other foods to avoid cross-contamination.
Cook turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), checking with a food thermometer in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast.
Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth.
We all have that one relative that loves to tell us it can sit out no problem!
But I wouldn’t recommend testing it – unless you like hugging your toilet instead of heading out to some hectic Black Friday shopping!
Remember, when it comes to food safety, it’s better to err on the side of caution. If you’re unsure whether food is safe to eat, it’s best to discard it.
Family Dynamics is Managing Interpersonal Risks at the Thanksgiving Table
While not a physical safety risk, family disputes can certainly impact the emotional well-being of everyone present at your Thanksgiving gathering.
Especially when your Uncle decides to have one too many and his football team is losing worse than my Cleveland Browns on any given Sunday!
Risk: Heated arguments or conflicts disrupting the holiday atmosphere.
Probability: Medium to High Impact: Medium
Response Strategies:
Set ground rules before the gathering, such as avoiding controversial topics like politics or religion.
Plan structured activities or games to keep conversations light and engaging.
Designate a neutral family member as a “mediator” to defuse tense situations if they arise.
Create a seating plan that separates potentially conflicting personalities.
Plan ahead if you know your sibling is bringing over the terror of a child or if your in-laws are other the other political party.
Remember, the goal is to foster a warm, welcoming environment where everyone can enjoy the holiday.
Travel Safety to Navigate the Busiest Travel Day of the Year
Thanksgiving is notorious for being one of the busiest travel days, bringing its own set of risks and challenges.
Risk: Travel-related accidents or significant delays causing stress and potential safety issues.
Probability: Medium Impact: Medium to High
Response Strategies:
If driving, ensure your vehicle is in good condition before the trip. Check tires, brakes, and windshield wipers.
Plan your route in advance and check for potential weather conditions or road work that might affect your journey.
For air travel, arrive at the airport early to allow time for security checks and potential delays.
Pack an emergency kit in your car, including blankets, water, snacks, and a first-aid kit.
Whether you’re making a short trip or a cross-country journey, prioritizing travel safety can help ensure you arrive at your destination ready to enjoy the holiday.
Thanksgiving Risk Register
By considering these additional risks in your Thanksgiving planning, you can create a more comprehensive safety strategy for the holiday.
And build yourself a pretty good Thanksgiving Risk Register!
Remember, the key to effective risk management is not just identifying potential issues, but also implementing and following through with your response strategies.
You can read more at our article linked below! You can also grab a template risk register to start building your out for the festivities this week!
As you prepare for your Thanksgiving celebration, take some time to discuss these safety considerations with your family or guests. By working together, you can ensure a safer, more enjoyable holiday for everyone involved.
Wishing you a safe, peaceful, and joyous Thanksgiving!
-Russ Parker
The Risk Blog is reader supported – Please consider contributing to the operating costs of running this blog!
