5 Best Ways to Prevent Thanksgiving Disasters

by Coldwell Banker Heritage

Thanksgiving disasters blog title graphic

Tips for how to host a safe Thanksgiving

Written by Lilly Woodard

Thanksgiving is a really important part of the year. For many people, it’s a time to gather with friends and family, gorge themselves on amazing homemade food, and take lots and lots of naps. For others, it’s a time to prepare for the busiest retail shopping day of the year, Black Friday. But for a very, very unlucky few, Thanksgiving is a time of ruined dinners and fiery disasters. Luckily, we have some tips to help you avoid any disasters that would surely ruin your Thanksgiving.

1. Be aware of the possibilities of fires and how to prevent them

There are a ton of ways to prepare for cooking a Thanksgiving meal, and there’s so much to keep track of. Especially if you’re cooking the entire meal, your kitchen is probably crazy, and a lot is going on! Move things that can burn, like towels, bags, and ingredients. Keep your sleeves rolled up so they’re out of the way and are less likely to catch fire.

Keep an eye on what you’re cooking. Don’t leave your food unattended, watch for smoke and boiling grease, and make sure no little hands are trying to “help.” Keeping a diligent eye on things reduces the chance of chaos.

But what if something does catch fire? It’s easier said than done, but don’t panic! If it’s in the oven, leave the oven door closed and turn off the oven until it cools. Make sure you know where your fire extinguisher is ahead of time, and have an evacuation plan if things get out of hand.

raw turkey on a cutting board

2. Properly thaw your turkey before cooking

Many people wait until the last moment to thaw their turkey. But not you! The CDC advises that it takes 24 hours per pound to thaw a turkey properly. The safest way to defrost your turkey is in the fridge. You can also use a leak-proof bag in a sink full of cold water, provided you change the water every thirty minutes.

By not thawing your turkey properly or by not cooking the turkey completely, bacteria can spread, and you and your guests could get sick. Not a great way to spend the holidays!

3. Lessen the chance of guest injuries

Burning your tongue on macaroni is not the only injury to worry about. If you have a lot of people coming over, there are more chances for accidental injuries just due to the size of your group. Be smart, and prepare against injuries as much as you can.

If you have kids attending, make sure to childproof your home. Put away any extra cords or items people could trip over and check that all walkways are clear. Loose rugs, frosty walkways, and chairs with a mind of their own…it never hurts to double-check and prepare!

If someone does get hurt, ensure that you know where your first-aid kit is. If it’s a bigger injury, check what your home insurance covers regarding injuries.

pet is sequestered during family or friend gathering

4. Be mindful of pets

We all love our pets, but things can get chaotic around the holidays. People are coming in and going out of the house, and this can get your pet confused, excited, or anxious. We don’t want them escaping out a door that was left open or nipping at someone because they’re too excited. Keeping them sequestered away from the party may be a smart alternative, keeping both your pets and your guests safe.

Additionally, if you want to include your pet in the festivities after the party, here’s a quick list of foods to avoid sharing:

Dinner rolls
Stuffing
Pumpkin pie
Pecan pie

Instead, your animals would be delighted to have some boneless turkey, green beans, broccoli, or mashed potatoes!

young woman is in a kitchen full of dirty dishes

5. Streamline the clean-up process

It may be nice to have your guests offer to help you clean up, but make sure it’s done wisely. Scoop discarded food into the trash can instead of the garbage disposal and don’t pour excess grease down the sink. Aim to be on the same page with guests about dishes. Is there a drop zone for dirty dishes? Are you a hand-washer or a dishwasher user? Be on the same page with your helpers to make the end of the meal as stress-free as possible.

Things may get a little messy, and that’s okay. Thanksgiving is about spending time with the people you love and being thankful for what you have…but it doesn’t hurt to prepare in advance to make the day go as smoothly as possible.

https://nutri-vet.com/blogs/news/thanksgiving-food-for-dogs

https://www.kin.com/blog/thanksgiving-safety-tips/

https://extramile.thehartford.com/home/prevent-thanksgiving-disasters/

https://www.fema.gov/blog/10-ways-prevent-home-fires-thanksgiving