Mechanicsburg, Pa. – Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all the things we’re thankful for. Whether traveling to visit family or cooking in the kitchen, be sure to keep safety as your number one priority.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), during the 2016 Thanksgiving weekend (6 p.m. Wednesday, November 23, to 5:59 a.m. Monday, November 28), 49 percent of passengers killed in crashes weren’t wearing seatbelts. South Central PA Highway Safety Coordinator (SCPAHS), Matt Frampton, states, “55 percent of Thanksgiving weekend crashes occurred at night. Because it is one of the busiest travel times of the year, more people on the roadways means the potential for more vehicle crashes. Give yourself extra time to arrive safely and never drive impaired.”
SCPAHS provides the following safety tips this Thanksgiving travel season:
• Buckle Up – Every trip. Every time.
• Be alert and give the road your full attention. Don’t drive distracted!
• Slow down. Always observe the posted speed limits.
ATSPA Assistant Director, Allyson Fulton, adds, “While everyone is gathering in the kitchen this Thanksgiving, we need to remember that safety should always remain the number one priority. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving is the leading day of home fires involving cooking equipment, three times the average number.”
Use the following tips from the NFPA to ensure you’re cooking safely on Thanksgiving and every day:
• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay three feet away.
• Keep the floors clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working.
The American Trauma Society, PA Division (ATSPA) is a non-profit trauma prevention education organization dedicated to reducing suffering, disability and death due to trauma. The ATSPA strives to help all Pennsylvanians survive and lead healthier lives through its trauma prevention education programs. For information, call 717-766-1616 and visit www.atspa.org.
