Don’t Let Thanksgiving Turn Risky: How to Stay Safe This Holiday Season
Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones, sharing a meal, and giving thanks. But what many don’t realize is that Thanksgiving, statistically, is one of the riskiest holidays for accidents, injuries, and even serious legal liability. In this post, we’ll walk you through the most common Thanksgiving hazards, how you can reduce risk, and why you may need legal support if something goes wrong.
Thanksgiving Dangers
Cooking Fires Skyrocket
Thanksgiving is consistently the leading day of the year for cooking fires in the USA. In 2024, an estimated 1,446 home cooking fires were reported nationwide on Thanksgiving Day — a dramatic increase compared to an average day. Deep-frying turkeys, leaving stoves unattended, or cooking large meals in busy kitchens can turn into a disaster if precautions aren’t taken.
Travel Surges & Dangerous Roads
Thanksgiving is also considered a deadly day for travel. The National Safety Council, or NSC, estimates about 439 traffic-related deaths during the holiday period, plus tens of thousands of serious injuries across the U.S. this year. Long drives, heavy traffic, tired drivers, and holiday alcohol consumption dramatically raise the odds of auto accidents (Statista).
Trips, Falls & Home Hazards During Gatherings
With more people in the house—guests, family, children, and pets—Thanksgiving has an increased risk of slips, trips, and falls. Cluttered walkways, dim lighting, wet floors, or unexpected hazards (such as kitchen chaos) can make injuries much more likely. Many of these accidents could lead to serious harm. Injury Law Firm+1
Other Common Injuries: Burns, Dog Bites, & Overexertion
There are other inquiries that can happen due to this time of year. For example, busy kitchens and multiple cooks can increase the risk of burns or scalds. Pets can grow anxious around unusual activity and food, increasing the possibility of bites. Hurried cleaning, lifting, or decorating can also lead to overexertion or injury.
How to Keep Your Thanksgiving Safer
Never leave cooking unattended: Stay in the kitchen, especially if you are using the stove, oven, or fryer. Turn off appliances if you have to step away.
Deep-fry safely — or avoid frying: If you fry a turkey, do it outdoors on a flat, non-flammable surface, at least 10 feet from structures. Fully thaw the turkey, use proper fryer equipment, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
Practice safe cooking habits: Keep flammables (towels, papers, packaging) away from stoves/ovens. Use timers and also keep kids and pets out of cooking areas.
Plan travel ahead of time: If driving, avoid distractions, don’t drive impaired, wear seat belts, and consider traffic patterns, weather, and rest breaks.
Keep walkways and guest areas clear: Remove trip hazards, ensure good lighting, clean up spills, and be careful when carrying food, drinks, or heavy items.
Supervise children and pets: With lots of activity, children and pets are more at risk — make sure they’re monitored and kept out of dangerous zones (kitchens, underfoot, and around hot surfaces).
What To Do If You or a Loved One Is Injured
Mistakes happen. A fun, busy holiday can quickly turn serious if safety is overlooked. If you or a loved one suffers injury, take the following steps:
Get immediate medical care (don’t wait).
Document the scene: photos, witness names, time and date, and conditions (wet floor, poor lighting, oil spills, etc.).
Report incidents if required (fire department, police, property owner, etc.).
Avoid settling too soon or discussing the matter with insurance companies before talking with an experienced personal injury attorney.
Why It Pays to Get Legal Help
Thanksgiving-related injuries often involve complex liability issues: homeowner or host responsibility, property hazards, appliance defects, multi-vehicle crashes, or negligent drivers. In many cases, victims — especially children — need long-term medical care or compensation for ongoing harm.
At the Law Offices of Albert Zafonte Jr., we have the experience and compassion to handle these sensitive cases. We'll:
Investigate the cause thoroughly (house conditions, appliance misuse, negligence).
Work with experts when needed (accident reconstruction, fire safety, medical care).
Advocate for full compensation — medical bills, therapy, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
If you or someone you love was injured over the holiday — or if you fear you might have a claim after a Thanksgiving accident — don’t wait. Call the Law Offices of Albert Zafonte Jr. today at (516) 505-7001 or contact us online for a free consultation. We’ll review your situation, explain your rights, and help you take the right next steps.
Let your next call be to us — and focus on healing, not paperwork.
Stay safe, and from our family to yours: have a peaceful Thanksgiving.