5 common Thanksgiving emergency room visits
Preparing the perfect feast or having a friendly competition in the backyard are just a few examples of the influx of activities around Thanksgiving. Though all part of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, these seemingly innocent activities can lead to quite a few unique injuries, some even requiring a trip to the emergency room.
Dr. Ross Laurent, an emergency medicine physician at Aurora Health Care, provides a few tips on how to prevent some of the most common Thanksgiving injuries:
1. Burns
Burns commonly stem from pots boiling over or trouble navigating broiler pans. Always use protective oven mitts that protect all sides of your hand when reaching into the oven or handling hot dishes. Avoid wearing loose clothing that could catch on fire or accidentally snag on something while you are moving hot food.
2. Cuts
With large holiday meals, many people may be in the kitchen helping with the preparation. Make sure anyone helping is familiar with how to use the kitchen tools safely and are free from distractions to avoid cuts.
3. Food poisoning
Ensure that foods are cooked to proper internal temperatures and stored at the correct temperature to avoid bacteria from thriving.
4. Falls
While it’s a great time to take advantage of the warmer temperatures and decorate outside for the holidays, remember to put safety first when using ladders or climbing roofs or trees. It’s also a great idea to have someone spot you on the ladder.
5. Sports injury
Friendly football games or basketball showdowns can bring risks of ankle sprains, broken bones or lacerations. Use proper equipment when possible and make sure the area is clear of obstructions that could cause falls.
“It’s a good reminder to check and update your medical information at Thanksgiving time,” recommends Dr. Laurent. “This is often the beginning of travel season so having your medical information on a phone app or writing your medications, allergies and medical conditions on a wallet card is helpful.”
This assures that if you or someone in your family finds themself in a hospital away from home this holiday season, you will be able to quickly provide the emergency room care team with up-to-date personal medical information.
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Growing up I was washing the Thanksgiving dishes and not looking I cut my hand by the knuckle. Instead of going to the ER for sutures, my mom, placed a butterfly band -aid on my cut and I at least didn’t have to continue washing any dishes then or until the wound would heal which was about 3 weeks. Yes, it did heal!
I still have the scar from that encounter but every Thanksgiving I look at this and there is nothing but pleasant smiles for myself thinking about how astute my mom was throughout her life and yes, even mine.
By the way. my mom was a R.N. and now I know why she was the charge nurse until her retirement. Thanks mom.