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 “Emergency physicians are ready to care for you any time you need
it,” said Rebecca Parker, MD, FACEP, president of the American
College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). “We are available 24/7,
including holidays. But we hope that by following some common sense
precautions, you will avoid preventable injuries and illnesses, so
you can spend your holiday enjoying time with loved ones.”
Food Preparation Safety
The risk of bacterial contamination is high with any raw meat. Wash
your hands thoroughly when handling uncooked meat, keep it separate
from other foods. Sanitize any surfaces that raw foods come in
contact with. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommends that oven temperatures should be no lower than 325
degrees, and turkeys should be completely thawed before cooking. A
food thermometer must register a safe minimum temperature of 165
degrees inside a turkey before it is served.
 It’s best to cook stuffing in a casserole dish outside the turkey,
but if you choose to stuff a turkey, make sure the stuffing reaches
a temperature of 165 degrees (CDC) to ensure there is no bacterial
contamination. Refrigerate all leftovers within 2 hours.
People with food allergies who have not prepared their own meals at
home should ask about the ingredients and how food was prepared to
prevent exposure to allergens.
Common Injuries
One of the most common injuries during the Thanksgiving holiday is
cuts with knives – specifically carving knives that cut fingers or
hands. Be careful when slicing food, and more specifically, do not
rush. More accidents occur when carving and cutting too quickly. If
possible, allow someone who is experienced in handling sharp knives
do the carving.
Burns are another common injury during Thanksgiving. The kitchen can
be a dangerous place, especially around the oven and grill. Again,
don’t rush when cooking dinner, have a plan of execution that leaves
you plenty of time to get it done.
A special note of caution is given for anyone who deep fries a
turkey. This can be very dangerous and cause serious burns and
fires, especially if you have never attempted this before. Make sure
to carefully research the proper way to “deep fry” and use extreme
caution. Frying a turkey should be done well clear of the home or
any flammable structure. Also, never attempt to deep fry a frozen
turkey.
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Driving Safety
Around 42 million people will drive somewhere for Thanksgiving,
according to AAA. With more cars on the roads, more car crashes
occur. Avoid injuries by making sure you drive carefully, don’t text
and drive or talk on a cell phone, always wear your seatbelt and
make sure younger children are properly strapped in and obey all
traffic laws. It’s also important to be rested while driving.
Eating Safely
The key is to approach the Thanksgiving meal with moderation. Food is usually
abundant; however, for some, it is too much and consumed too quickly. For those
with medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease and
high blood pressure, excess salt is dangerous. Monitor your sodium intake, and
make sure you take any necessary prescription medications, as you would any
other day. Consult your doctor if necessary. Eat food slowly, and when satisfied
take a break and allow your body to process it. Eating too quickly can cause
heartburn, indigestion and may create chest pain, which could require medical
assessment.
Injury Prevention
Before or after the meal, it’s common for many to head outside and play sports
(football, basketball, etc.). Weekend warriors - beware! Injuries can occur for
those not used to routine exercise. If you must play a traditional “Thanksgiving
game,” emergency physicians recommend having fun and going easy — not overdoing
it. It’s important to pace yourself after a big meal, and for those not used to
regular physical activity, you might want to reconsider and participate in a
different activity. Emergency physicians see many sprains, strains and fractures
in those who try to do too much, too quickly. We also treat patients develop
shortness of breath and chest pain from over-extension.
ACEP is the national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine.
ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education,
research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53
chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of
Columbia. A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed
by military branches and other government agencies.
[AMERICAN COLLEGE OF EMERGENCY
PHYSICIANS] |
