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Key Points
- Urgent care centers often see an influx of visitors around Thanksgiving due to cooking-related incidents, including food poisoning and appliance malfunctions.
- Food poisoning can occur when a turkey is not cooked to the minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, including when it is reheated. The stuffing inside an undercooked turkey can also lead to food poisoning.
- Appliance malfunctions, particularly with infrequently used items like turkey deep fryers, can lead to severe burns. Improper use of new or unfamiliar kitchen tools can also result in injuries.
- It's essential to anticipate potential problems, read instructions carefully, supervise cooking processes, and have a backup plan in case of unexpected setbacks.
- If an injury occurs during Thanksgiving preparations, seek immediate help from emergency personnel in retail clinics. Also, it's advised to ask for help when using unfamiliar cooking appliances or tools to prevent accidents.
Urgent care centers have a lot of visitors on the days leading up to
Thanksgiving, and even on the big day itself. After all, the habit of
cooking a sumptuous feast once a year comes with a bit of a learning
curve. Unfortunately, plenty of holiday cooks are blindsided by some of
the bumps along the way.
Food Poisoning
Urgent care
locations receive quite a few calls from folks suffering from post-feast
stomach cramps. The likely culprit is food poisoning. A whole turkey
must be cooked to a minimum interior temperature of 165 degrees
Fahrenheit. The federal government's food safety agency warns that this
is also true when reheating the turkey for evening sandwiches and
dinner. It is here that food poisoning frequently occurs. The other
avenue of contamination comes via the stuffing inside an undercooked
turkey.
Related: 4 Food Safety Tips to Always Keep in Mind
Appliance Malfunctions
If you only use the turkey deep fryer once a year and don't take the proper safety precautions, nearby walk-in clinics may be your next destination. With any cooking vessel, there are dangers inherent to the makeup of the culinary practice. In the case of deep fryers, the high oil temperature can lead to catastrophic burns. The new knife set you are using can be significantly different in its weight distribution, which can result in painful cuts while chopping your stuffing ingredients.
Related: Accident Prone: Common Holiday Accidents [INFOGRAPHIC]
Venture out of your comfort zone slowly. Be sure to read through the operating instructions for infrequently used cooking vessels prior to using them. Start early to allow extra time for researching suspect cooking instructions or unusual ingredients usage. Supervise the gadgetry because fryers are easy to overturn. Pets, children, and even the adults playing soccer in the backyard can knock over the fryer. Make sure that someone is in charge of the cooking vessel and keeps a close eye on it. Always have a backup plan and keep a fire extinguisher near the fryer. It should be rated for grease fires. Know where you first aid kit is.
Unexpected Set Backs
Anticipate problems. The organs are frequently placed inside a plastic container and then shoved into the breast cavity of the turkey. Some turkeys are made to fit into their packaging with the help of wires. Read the outside of the package to know what you might encounter when working with the bird. There is no shame in wearing clean kitchen gloves to handle the poultry. It's also not a bad idea to have microwaveable ingredients that you can use in a pinch.
If You Suffer an Injury
Be cautious if you sustain an injury during the Thanksgiving feast preparations. Enlist the help of on-call emergency personnel in retail clinics to treat a burn, deep cut, or other wound. These professionals already know the holidays can be dangerous for the cook who does not routinely put together a large feast for friends and family members. Let them help you get back to feeling well and healthy enough to enjoy the Black Friday sales that follow the holiday.
Related: Care Continuum: Where to Go When Your Sick or Injured
Common sense is your
best bet to avoid Thanksgiving catastrophes this year. A good rule of
thumb to keep in mind is if you've never used an appliance, carving
tool, or other cooking source, ask for help before you begin to prepare
the day's meal.
Frequently asked questions
Why do urgent care centers receive a lot of visitors around Thanksgiving?
Urgent care centers often see an increase in visitors around Thanksgiving due to accidents and issues that arise from cooking a large feast, such as food poisoning and injuries from appliance malfunctions.What is a common cause of food poisoning during Thanksgiving?
A common cause of food poisoning during Thanksgiving is undercooked turkey. The turkey must be cooked to a minimum interior temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, including when it's reheated for later meals. The stuffing inside an undercooked turkey can also be a source of food poisoning.What are some potential dangers of using a turkey deep fryer?
Using a turkey deep fryer can lead to serious injuries if not handled properly. The high oil temperature can cause catastrophic burns. Additionally, fryers can be easily overturned, causing hot oil to spill and potentially cause burns.How can I prevent accidents when using a turkey deep fryer?
To prevent accidents, you should read through the operating instructions before using the fryer. Start early to allow extra time for understanding the instructions. Always supervise the fryer and ensure it is stable. Keep a fire extinguisher rated for grease fires nearby, and know where your first aid kit is.What should I do if I encounter unexpected issues while preparing the turkey?
If you encounter unexpected issues, such as finding organs inside a plastic container in the turkey or wires used to package the turkey, read the outside of the package for instructions. It's also a good idea to have microwaveable ingredients on hand as a backup.What should I do if I sustain an injury while preparing the Thanksgiving feast?
If you sustain an injury, such as a burn or deep cut, seek immediate medical attention. Urgent care centers and retail clinics have on-call emergency personnel who can treat your injury.What can I do to avoid Thanksgiving cooking catastrophes?
To avoid Thanksgiving cooking catastrophes, use common sense and ask for help if you're unfamiliar with a cooking appliance or tool. Start early, read all instructions thoroughly, and always have a backup plan.What should I do if I suspect food poisoning after the Thanksgiving feast?
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