Thanksgiving Safety Advice for Home Cooks and Younger Helpers

For many people, Thanksgiving often takes place around a full table. Whether you’re a professional chef, expert home cook, kitchen newbie, or somewhere in the middle, don’t let the holiday bustle distract you from being safe when carving the main course. And, if you’re planning on having young helpers with you, scroll down for our tips from SafeKids.

Turkey Carving Safety Tips

Shared with permission from the American Society of Surgery of the Hand.  

1. Never cut toward yourself. Your free hand should be placed opposite the side you are carving towards. Don’t place your hand underneath the blade to catch the slice of meat.
2. Keep everything dry. This includes your cutting area and knife handle.
3. Keep all cutting utensils sharp. If your knife is sharp enough, it should not need force in order to carve.
4. If possible, use an electric knife for carving. Use kitchen shears to cut the bones and joints of the turkey.
5. Do not let children assist with the carving, cutting or chopping.

Did you know?

• 88% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving.
• Cuts from carving are one of the top five most common injuries on Thanksgiving.

When to seek medical help

Visit the emergency room if you’ve cut yourself and any of the following are true:

• Continuous pressure does not stop the bleeding.
• You are unsure of your tetanus immunization status.
• You are unable to thoroughly cleanse the wound by rinsing with mild soap and plenty of clean water.

Visit a hand surgeon at the next available appointment if you’ve cut yourself and any of the following are true:

• You notice persistent numbness or tingling in the fingertip.
• You do not have full range of motion in the hand or finger.

Cooking Safety Parent Checklist

Shared with permission from SafeKids Worldwide.

• Teach your children to stay a safe distance from hot stoves and appliances
• Avoid carrying or holding a child while cooking on the stove.
• Kids love to reach so use the back burner of your stove. Turn pot handles away from the edge.
• Remind yourself to check on food frequently by using a timer, especially when baking or simmering.
• Check to make sure appliance cords are coiled and away from counter edges. Take an extra second to make sure hot foods are away from the edge of your counters as well.
• Stay close when you are using a grill or turkey fryer.
• Wear short, close-fitting or tightly-rolled sleeves when cooking.
• Take a minute to test your smoke alarms.
• Teach your kids how to cook safely.

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While Cooper is well known for our Level 1 Trauma Center and our convenient Urgent Care Centers, we really prefer you spend your holidays at home with family and friends! Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving from all of us at Cooper.