Safety Tips For Drivers Traveling On A Wet (And White?) Thanksgiving

Millions of people will travel to spend their Thanksgiving holiday with loved ones, including many throughout the east coast. With rain and snow expected, drivers need to be aware of safety tips they should follow, especially considering that Thanksgiving is the most dangerous holiday of the year for drivers.

That’s right - Turkey Day. With college students returning home, families rushing to meet dinner plans, and the obvious - alcohol, Thanksgiving is rated the most dangerous, according to Forbes.

Data, such as increased airline prices causing more drivers to be on the road, as well as figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s report on motor vehicle accidents and deaths over three - or four-day holiday periods, was used by Forbes in their ranking of Thanksgiving as the most dangerous driving holiday in America.

There are simple steps all drivers can take this year to ensure a safe trip for the holiday season. Here are some safety tips, from the American Red Cross:

• Travelers should check the weather along their route and plan for travel around any storms that may be coming.

• Everyone should use their seat belts and no one should drink and drive.

• Drivers should be well rested and alert and give their full attention to the road – no cell phones.

• Follow the rules of the road – observe the speed limit.

• Use caution in work zones.

• During long trips, rotate drivers. Make frequent stops.

• Don’t follow another vehicle too closely.

• Clean your headlights, taillights, signal lights and windows to help you see, especially at night.

• Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or if you are using your windshield wipers due to inclement weather.

The holiday season is also a time when cooks spend a lot of time in the kitchen. According to Mathieu Nelessen, regional CEO of the American Red Cross North Jersey Region, cooking is the leading cause of home fire.

The Red Cross also has tips that can be used to avoid a cooking fire while whipping up Thanksgiving dinner:

• Cooks should avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while preparing the holiday meal.

• Never leave the stove unattended – if the cook has to leave the kitchen even for a short time, they should turn off the stove or designate another adult to supervise.

• Keep children and pets away from the cooking area.

• Keep anything that can catch fire - pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains—away from the stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.

• Check food regularly.

• Use a timer as a reminder that the stove or oven is on.

• Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in the kitchen.

• Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are turned off.

• Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.

Check out the free Red Cross First Aid App can at redcross.org/apps.

See Also:

Nor’easter Now Expected For New Jersey On Thanksgiving Eve

Top 10 Holiday Scams to Guard Against