The holiday season has arrived, bringing plans for travel, gatherings with loved ones, festive meals (and of course shopping!) What are some best ways to ensure that your holidays stay safe and full of joy?
Travel Safety
The key takeaway for traveling safely during a very crowded holiday time is to proactively plan ahead. For a travel-safe Thanksgiving, your journeys will be smooth if you:
Wisely choose the best days to travel.
- For air travel, this usually means traveling early (Saturday, November 23, Monday, November 25, OR on Thanksgiving day itself). Returns are usually best on Black Friday November 29, Tuesday December 3, and Wednesday December 4.
- For driving trips, the best travel days are also to avoid the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving if possible. If you have to drive on those days, travel early mornings (and dodge the crowded afternoon times). Thanksgiving day is also a good driving day.
Proactively use every tech advantage possible.
- For flyers, use the airline’s app to check on your flight’s status, delays, gate changes, or weather problems. Make sure to have the acceptable ID you need. Verify your carry bag items on the TSA website (tsa.gov) so you do not get slowed down at security with unacceptable items. Use your airline’s app or website ahead of time to check in, select seats and download boarding passes to your phone. The self-service kiosks at the airport are better for speedier check-in/bag tagging. Or better yet, take advantage of a curbside check in service- a fast alternative for checking bags (especially heavy ones!)
- For drivers, use a navigation app to get real-time traffic updates and best routes to use. There’s even a handy Red Cross Emergency app with weather alerts for wherever you plan to drive. Since long driving trips can be hard on families traveling with children, use technology to keep the drive entertaining- with electronic devices, movies, games, and audiobooks.
Remember cleanliness keeps you healthy.
Holiday travel is all about crowds- in your personal space- touching everything that you touch too. Keep the colds and flu away by making sure to:
- Use hand sanitizer/antibacterial wipes (when you touch things like plane armrests).
- Wash your hands often.
- Keep from touching your face or eyes.
- Use a tissue (or your sleeve) if you cough or sneeze.
- Bring your own pillow and blanket as protection from the plane seat.
Dress (and snack) well.
Comfortable clothes and shoes are a must for any travelers. Nothing dampens spirits like uncomfortably tight shoes causing blisters (when having to walk long distances- like to the gate). Also wearing layers of clothing is a practical protection against changing temperatures in airports or cars. Packing snacks like granola bars or sandwiches are a guard against travel-disrupted meal schedules. Your own snacks are also much easier (and cheaper) than trying to find food in unfamiliar settings.
Consider contingency plans.
What could possibly go wrong, when you travel at the most crowded time of the year, with a high probability for bad weather? The reality could be snowstorms, missed connections, traffic jams or accidents. It is wise to consider a “Plan B” ahead of time. Whether driving or flying, smart travelers have a favorite hotel app on their phone, or some idea of nearby hotels- just in case. Drivers can establish emergency procedures to follow in case of getting stuck in a snowstorm or having car trouble. Knowing other options for alternative transportation is helpful as well. Expect that you could experience unforeseen disruptions and plan accordingly.
Food Safety
Everyone’s finally made it to Grandma’s house, and the food preparation and feasting has begun. For a food-safe Thanksgiving, here are some helpful tips to avoid unwanted illnesses:
- Avoid cross-contamination of foods. Store raw meat on the lowest fridge shelf, so raw juices don’t drip into other foods. Put meat in a container while thawing to catch any leaks.
- Never thaw a turkey at room temperature. Always thaw it in the refrigerator- which could be several days depending on the size of the turkey. Or thaw the wrapped turkey in cold water.
- Use a meat thermometer for utmost food safety- an internal 165 degrees F kills harmful bacteria.
- Use different cutting boards, plates and utensils for raw meats and fruits/veggies. If you use only one cutting board, wash/sanitize after each use.
- Keep your hot food hot and your cold food cold. Use warming trays or slow cookers for heat. Keep perishable cold dishes on ice or a cooling tray.
- Carve your turkey or roast with care. Knives are sharp, and kitchens can get crowded.
- Don’t leave your leftovers out more than 2 hours- they must be refrigerated by then to prevent bacteria growth.
- Reheated leftovers must reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F to be eaten safely.
Pet Safety
When family and friends gather for Thanksgiving festivities, there are sure to be some beloved pets present too. For a pet-safe Thanksgiving, here are some key tips for keeping your furry friends safe:
- Keep an eye on what your pet eats. Plain skinless turkey is usually safe for Fido, but many favorite “people foods” are poisonous for animals. Keep your pets away from onions, grapes, pumpkin pie, chocolate, gravy, uncooked dough, and bones. Having a special treat set aside for your pets is a good plan.
- Protect your four-footed friends from the trash. Keep it behind closed doors or in a secured container.
- Realize table decorations can be toxic to pets. ASPCA has lists of plants that can be poisonous or cause choking/blockage.
- Keep pets safe inside when guests visit. Perhaps you can establish a quieter room for your pet away from houseguest traffic. Or if pets are crate-trained, make that their safe space. Be sure your pet has a current tag or microchip, just in case they do get loose.
Fire Safety
Many think you must “gobble til you wobble” during Thanksgiving- which makes cooking a key holiday activity. But according to the Red Cross, cooking is a leading cause of home fires and injuries, even deaths. Here’s the best tips for fire safety during this holiday season:
- Never leave any cooking (frying, grilling, or broiling) unattended. Turn off the stove if you must leave.
- Always set a timer as a reminder that the stove is on.
- Never wear flowing sleeves or loose clothing when cooking.
- Maintain a strict 3 foot “safe zone” around your stovetop or barbecue- no kids or pets allowed.
- Keep flammables such as towels or potholders away from the stove top.
- Prevent hazardous grease buildup by regularly cleaning cooking surfaces .
- Use extra care with turkey fryers. They should always be used outdoors, safely away from homes or buildings, and never left unattended.
- Have a fire extinguisher easily available in your cooking area, and show everybody where it is.
- Double check that all appliances are truly off when retiring for the night or leaving the house.
- Use smoke alarms near your kitchen and sleeping areas.
In summary, these are some essential Thanksgiving safety tips for safe travel, healthy food handling, proactive pet care and practical fire prevention. By utilizing these guidelines, you can stay safe and enjoy a worry-free holiday!
