Thanksgiving Safety Tips: Keep the Holiday Happy, Healthy, and Hazard-Free

As the holiday season hits full swing, most people are thinking about family, football, and a plate stacked high with turkey and gravy. At EHS Insight, we’re thinking about all of that — plus one more thing: safety.

Thanksgiving may be about celebration, but it’s also one of the highest-risk days of the year for home incidents. A little preparation goes a long way in keeping your home safe and your holiday stress-free.

Below are updated Thanksgiving safety tips for 2025, written to help families stay protected and educated.

1. Keep a Close Eye on All Cooking Equipment

Thanksgiving is still the #1 day of the year for home-cooking fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Most of these incidents start in the kitchen and can be prevented with simple precautions.

Smart habits for safer cooking:

• Stay in the kitchen when using the stovetop — even “just for a minute”
• Keep towels, potholders, decorations, and clothing away from open flames
• Avoid wearing loose sleeves or scarves that can graze burners
• Keep kids and pets at least three feet from the cooking area
• If deep-frying a turkey, do it outdoors, on a flat surface, and never leave it unattended

A distracted kitchen is a dangerous kitchen. Stay focused and your feast will stay safe.

2. Prep and Cook Your Turkey the Safe Way

Turkey is the star of the show, but it’s also one of the top sources of holiday foodborne illness.

Updated 2025 food-safety reminders:

• Thaw frozen turkeys in the refrigerator, never on the counter
• Allow 24 hours of thaw time per 4–5 pounds of turkey
• Avoid stuffing the turkey unless you follow USDA-recommended safety steps
• Cook to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F
• Refrigerate leftovers within two hours to reduce bacterial growth

If the turkey’s not thawed, not cooked properly, or left out too long — that’s where Thanksgiving goes from “memorable” to “never again.”

3. Prevent Choking Incidents at the Table

Thanksgiving brings laughter, conversations, and big bites of delicious food — all mixed together. It’s an easy recipe for choking hazards if you’re not careful.

What to watch for:

• Remind guests (especially excited kids) not to talk or laugh with food in their mouths
• Cut tougher foods like turkey or rolls into smaller bites for elderly guests
• Know the signs of choking: inability to speak, breathe, or cough
• Be prepared to perform the Heimlich maneuver
• Call 911 immediately if someone cannot breathe or loses consciousness

Quick action can save a life — and knowing the basics makes a difference.

Enjoy a Safe, Relaxed, and Memorable Thanksgiving

With a few simple precautions, you can prevent the most common Thanksgiving incidents and focus on what matters: good food, good people, and a well-deserved break.