Thanksgiving is a special time of year where family and friends gather for a festive meal to share gratitude and thanks for all they have. Depending on where your celebration happens or how you choose to honor the day, you might find yourself in a situation where having first aid supplies on hand keeps the day from turning into an unnecessary disaster.

With so much happening late in the month of November (from last-minute shopping, inclement weather and time spent cooking in the kitchen) it makes sense to review some common safety tips for those dangerous situations than can spring upon us.

We want you to relax and enjoy your holiday. It starts here. With awareness and preparation.

Basic Kitchen Rules

If you’re spending time in the kitchen to cook or assist the host with the meal preparations this Thanksgiving it’s important to remember some of the basic kitchen rules we’ve all grown to know. Use knives carefully for example. They can be sharp and slice fingers very easily if you’re not paying attention. Never walk around holding a blade out or leave them in reach of children. You should also pay close attention to hot ovens and stovetops so you don’t accidentally burn your hands or a potholder. One of the biggest tips we can give is to stay in the kitchen if you’re cooking. Forgetting about the bird in the oven or the stuffing on the stove can lead to an unnecessary kitchen fire or make your amazing dinner plans go awry.

Choking Hazards & Food Safety

While we’re on the topic of cooking, it’s critical, especially when hosting a lot of guests that you are safely handling and cooking all food. Food poisoning and other issues from undercooked meats or cross-contamination can occur. If you’ll be cooking greater amounts of food than you’re used to, be sure you’ve researched proper cooking times and that you always use a food thermometer to ensure it’s cooked sufficiently. Having someone on hand who knows the Heimlich maneuver is a great idea too. Choking can happen in an instant and rapid response is necessary.

Holiday Driving Best Practices

The other thing about the holidays that can create dangerous situations is the increased number of cars on the roadways. Everyone is running around doing last-minute shopping, preparing for vacations and visiting family. Depending on where you live it can also mean snow on the roadways. Dangerous driving conditions call for extreme caution. Never drink and drive and always keep a first aid kit in your vehicle.

Shop 1st Aid Supplies for everything you need to keep your home, car, and workplace prepared in advance of an emergency!