It’s a bummer to talk about but statistics clearly show that our holiday traditions greatly increase the risk of burn injuries and fire in the home. From dry Christmas trees and damaged strands of lights to open flames and kitchen fires, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that 30 percent of home fires and 38 percent of home fire deaths occur during the months of December, January and February.
Brad Parker says, “In addition to watering your tree and checking the lights for frayed edges, it’s critical to have operational smoke detectors in your home. Also…have two or three fire extinguishers at each end of the house for easy access.”
Unattended food in the kitchen and the misuse of turkey fryers are major sources of fire hazard during the holidays. In fact, Texas ranks highest in cooking related insurance claims.
“My advice for frying a turkey is to hold off on drinking until it’s done,” Brad says. “Most people get injured because the turkey is wet when they try to fry it. Water and grease don’t mix. Overflowing the pot is another common problem.”
Food poisoning frequently occurs during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Raw turkey or poultry that is mishandled or not stored correctly could make family or friends ill after the meal. Turkey should always thaw in the refrigerator and when cooked, it should have an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Brad says, “There are so many meat thermometers on the market, undercooking really shouldn’t ever happen. If you can’t easily pull the leg off, it’s probably not done.”
We hope you have a wonderful holiday season all while staying alert and safe!
Have You Been Injured In A Texas Accident?
If you’ve been injured you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Bedford, Texas office directly at 817.440.3888 to schedule your free, no obligation consultation. We help personal injury clients throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington as well as all areas of Texas.
Boiler Plate: At Parker Law Firm, our experienced personal injury lawyers believe people matter. We are committed to our clients, not case numbers, and we believe in the power of the civil justice system. With years spent both representing accident victims and participating in the state legislative process, our founder, Brad Parker, has developed a deep understanding of the law and gained unique experience that helps him get results for his
