Some Practical Safety Tips For A Happy And Safe Thanksgiving

Author KC Atkins

November 21st, 2023 9:26 AM

Thanksgiving can be a lot of fun, but there are also a lot of opportunities for things to go really badly.

Thanksgiving is just days away. You can practically smell the green bean casserole as we speak! Turkey Day can be a day of fun and feasts, but it can also be dangerous if you’re not careful. Thankfully, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released a helpful list of safety tips so you can take to have a happy, safe Thanksgiving.

According to their own research, the NFPA states that Thanksgiving is when the highest number of home cooking fires occur. Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are second and third respectively, so it’ll behoove you to keep these tips in mind throughout the rest of your holiday season.

As daunting as food prep for Thanksgiving can be, it’s alarmingly easy to overlook a step that could result in personal injury or damage to your home. The margin for error is razor thin. But if you follow these NFPA guidelines (seen here), you and your family can stay safe while enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving spread.

First and foremost, you should ALWAYS stay in the kitchen when you’re cooking so you can keep an eye on the food without distraction. This also applies to your turkey as well, as you should always stay in the house when it’s cooking and keep frequent tabs on it.

Many of the NFPA Thanksgiving guidelines involve keeping your children safe as well. For instance, it’s recommended that you keep children out of the kitchen until the food is ready, or at the very least keep them three feet away from the oven. You should also keep knives, hot foods and liquids, electrical items, matches, lighters and lit candles away from kids as well.

Lastly, the NFPA recommends that you make sure your smoke alarms are working before you start cooking.

Following these safety tips should help you maintain a peaceful and danger-free environment while you whip up all the mouthwatering goodies for Thanksgiving. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

KC is bringing you the Workday Wind Down, afternoons on KML. He’s a Carolina boy making Carolina noise! When he's not slinging music and mouth sounds on the BIG 95.7 WKML, you can catch him at the gym, live wrestling shows, open mics, or wherever fine pasta is sold. KC is a big fan of self-expression, as his many tattoos will show you. KC's favorite pastime is making others laugh. In his mind, if he can bring a smile to your face then it's a day well spent. KC likes to write about TV and film, especially Spider-Man, and Fayetteville happenings.

What Your Favorite Thanksgiving Side Says About You

‘Tis the season to eat a lot of turkey! The weather is getting colder, and the winter holidays are slowly approaching, but first up is the most delicious holiday, Thanksgiving. It’s a time to reunite with family and friends to gather around the table and enjoy a homecooked meal together.

Thanksgiving Morning

Imagine this… It’s a chilly Thursday morning, and you wake up to do one of three things. You are either staying in your jammies, brewing a cup of coffee, and plopping on the couch to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Or maybe you’re throwing on your sneakers to run a Turkey Day marathon, or maybe you’re the GOAT of the day, the Thanksgiving chef. But whichever person you are on the morning of Thanksgiving, you all gather around the table for an incredible meal. There is one exception: if you are not the Thanksgiving Day chef, you should be the Thanksgiving Day dishwasher. It’s polite to whoever cooked the meal you’ve been looking forward to all year.

Thanksgiving Sides

Of course, turkey is the star of the holiday, and taking on the responsibility of cooking the bird is a big deal. But, we all know the sides are the best part of the Thanksgiving dish. Everyone has their favorite side that they look forward to most, but have you ever wondered what your favorite side dish says about you? If so, or even if not, I have you covered! Share this with your guests at this year’s holiday for a fun conversation at the dinner table.

So, at this year’s Thanksgiving holiday dinner, you can say, “Grandma, you are such a mashed potato!” Please don’t call your beloved grandmother a potato without her first reading this article. Happy holidays!

Find out what your favorite Thanksgiving side dish says about you!

Mac & Cheese

If your favorite side dish is mac and cheese, you don’t take your time with your family for granted. You appreciate the small things in life and the memories you’ve created. Your first taste of mac and cheese was when you were a child, and you still remember how your face lit up after that first bit. You’re a nostalgic person that wants to capture every moment.
Corn

Your fondness for corn as your favorite Thanksgiving dish suggests that you have a cheerful and optimistic outlook on life. You’re down to earth, and you prefer the simplicity in life. You don’t need anything too fancy schmancy. The vibrant color of corn on your rather muted plate is how others perceive you, as the shining light in their lives.
Green Bean Casserole

You’re a warm and welcoming person. On the outside, green bean casserole sounds like an unappealing dish because its main ingredient is a veggie. Right? Wrong! You are a person who doesn’t judge a book by its cover. You find the beauty in others and are always willing to invite them in and give them a chance.
Brussel Sprouts

If your favorite side dish is Brussels Sprouts at Thanksgiving, then you plan on ruining the delicious smell of turkey with the atrocious odor of those green, slimy, tiny cabbages. I specifically hope that if you prefer to fill more than a third of your plate with the sprouts, you bring them yourself. (It’s even worse if you prefer them boiled over baked.) This Thanksgiving dinner, please try some mashed potatoes or stuffing. It will change your whole outlook on life.
Mashed Potatoes

If your favorite side dish at Thanksgiving is mashed potatoes, then you’re a person who loves comfort. You find solace in familiar things. Mashed potatoes are a classic staple on your holiday dish, this says that you are someone who values family and tradition.
Sweet Potatoes and Marshmallows

If you prefer this unique combination on your Thanksgiving dinner plate, you are a creative and imaginative person. You love to try new things, even if they’re not guaranteed to work. You are an adventurer with a sweet tooth, and it’s what your friends and family love most about you.
Cranberry Jelly Sauce

Congratulations, you are among the few who prefer this side on your Thanksgiving plate. You are independent and make your own decisions, despite what others might say. Cranberry jelly is the metaphor for “take me as I am.” You also live by the mantra, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
No Side

Jail. If you decide that all you want on your plate at Thanksgiving dinner is a slice of turkey… Ok, maybe jail is a bit much. But go sit in the corner! This meal was built on its sides, so to not include any is unacceptable. For the sake of your friends and family, please throw some corn and mashed potatoes on your plate this holiday.
Stuffing

You have a big heart! There are lots of ways to make stuffing and each way is delicious. If you like to load up on the stuffing during the holiday, not only do you have great taste, but you are also a generous and giving person. You enjoy stepping back and giving others the spotlight to feel special.