Thanksgiving is the official start of the Holiday Season. It is a festive time when we gather with our loved ones and eat to our heart’s content. This celebration is also unfortunately a busy time for Emergency Rooms. At Surepoint Emergency Centers we are dedicated to getting you treated and back on your feet fast, so that you can continue to celebrate with your loved ones.

1. Knife Injuries

Preparing large holiday meals is stressful, no matter how experienced you are in the kitchen. Working under pressure and time constraints with sharp utensils can easily lead to accidents. To help prevent cuts and lacerations, try the following:

  • Take your time while cutting and prepping your food
  • Don’t leave sharp knives on the edge of counters or the table as they could cut someone should they fall to the floor
  • Don’t put sharp knives or objects a sink with dish water, often times we forget and later results in cuts when cleaning up
  • Be careful when opening canned goods and handling lids after opening or when compacting the trash
  • Always use a cutting board when dicing produce
  • If your children are helping you, always supervise their activities in the kitchen

Accidents happen, you or your loved one has an unfortunate slip of the knife, knowing when to seek emergency care is crucial. If you or your loved one has any of the following, get to your local Surepoint Emergency Center for fast treatment:

  • Blood is spurting out
  • The cut is jagged or gapping and is deeper than ¼ inch
  • There is severe bleeding
  • The cut is made by a rusty object
  • The cut is over a joint and opens every time you move
  • The bleeding won’t stop even after ten minutes of applying steady pressure
  • Muscle, fat or bone can be seen through the wound

In many cases, cuts and lacerations are minor and are not a cause for concern. If your cut is severe or very painful, please visit one of our closest Emergency Center locations immediately.

2. Burns

Holiday cooking often means you are trying to cook multiple dishes at once. Unfortunately, trying to do too many things at once can make it easy to bump into other people in the kitchen and knock over hot pans. These tips can help you prevent severe burns in the kitchen:

  • Always place pot handles facing inwards to prevent bumping into them
  • Never leave food in the oven or stovetop unattended
  • Never throw water onto a grease fire because it can cause the flames to spread
  • Do not open the door if there is a fire inside your oven. Instead, turn off the oven
  • Take necessary precautions if you are deep frying your turkey. For instance, make sure the bird is fully thawed (never put any items in hot grease/oil that are wet or not completely thawed as it will make the grease boil, pop, and erupt)
  • Never attempt to deep fry a turkey indoors. Choose a cleared, contained space outdoors and lower the bird into the hot oil from a safe distance.

Accidents happen, you or your loved one sustains a burn, knowing when to seek emergency care is crucial. If you or your loved one has any of the following, get to your local Surepoint Emergency Center for fast treatment:

  • The burn is large: The burn is larger than 3 inches in diameter
  • The burn is on a sensitive area: The burn is on your face, hands, feet, groin, buttocks, or a major joint
  • The burn shows signs of infection: The burn is red, swollen, oozing, or painful
  • You have a medical condition that increases your risk of infection: You have diabetes or a weakened immune system
  • Begin swelling very quickly

In many cases, burns are minor and are not a cause for concern. If your burn is severe or very painful, please visit one of our closest Emergency Center locations immediately.

3. Food Poisoning

Thanksgiving is all about food, so it’s no surprise that food poisoning is at the top of the list of reasons why many Americans end up in the ER during this time of year. Food poisoning is often the result of poor handling, cooking turkey and other foods, and storing leftovers which can lead to bacterial infections. Implementing these few safety measures will ensure your family holiday doesn’t end in disaster:

  • Thawing the turkey in the refrigerator, or cold water instead of leaving out on the counter/sink
  • Washing your hands with soap after handling raw meat
  • Using separate cutting board or cleaning between food items to avoid contamination
  • Using a meat thermometer to ensure your meat has reached a safe temperature
  • Consuming leftovers within 3-4 days, and warming to at least 165°F before eating them

Symptoms of food poisoning are similar to those of the flu, except for fever, which is more likely to occur with the flu, and should be treated the same. Typically symptoms will begin from two hours to two days after eating the tainted food; however True food poisoning can start as soon as 15-30 minutes after ingestion.  Some of those serious symptoms will include:

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea and/or vomiting
  • Stomach cramps or pain

More serious symptoms can include blurred vision, fatigue and a dry mouth.

In many cases, food poisoning symptoms are minor and are not a cause for concern. If your symptoms are severe or very painful, please visit one of our closest Emergency Center locations immediately. Let our team get you immediate relief and on the road to recovery fast!

While the Top 3 Thanksgiving-Related Emergencies you should avoid are important, our clinical team would like to make sure you know that MOST medical problems involving eating at Thanksgiving are from Over Eating, Over Drinking, & Not Following Their Diet; especially for those with serious Health Conditions such as:

  • Diabetes
  • Congestive Heart Failure
  • Acid Reflux (GERD)
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Gallbladder Issues 
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Food Allergies

Please make sure you’re following your recommended diet, and plan menu items for those that have food allergies or special dietary needs. This will help avoid medical complications during a time of Thanksgiving. If you or your loved one does unfortunately experience any abnormal symptoms get to your closest Surepoint Emergency Center immediately. Let our team get you immediate relief and on the road to recovery fast!

Surepoint Emergency Center is a modern emergency medical facility open 24/7/365. As an alternative to the traditional hospital ER experience, we offer convenience and minimal wait time, along with highly-trained emergency medical staff and state-of-the-art equipment.

Our top priority is bringing high-quality emergency care, quickly and easily to your family. We are committed to making patients feel better faster in a comforting and compassionate environment.

Fast convenient care in your neighborhood.