Every Thanksgiving millions of Americans partake in their own Thanksgiving traditions, whether it be heading to the Macy’s Parade, a Football Game, or just a regular family dinner. And the day after, much more head to their favorite stores to take part in Black Friday shopping. While all of these festivities are fun ways to spend Thanksgiving break, they do come with some potential safety hazards.

Something to add to your prep list for Thanksgiving is reading up on some safety tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe. 

Roads

Whether you’re heading out of town or traveling to the store, there are going to be thousands of other people in your town doing the same. The National Safety Council estimates 417 people may die on U.S. roads this Thanksgiving holiday period. Given this statistic, there are a few things you can do to keep you safe on the road. 

Buy Snow Tires

If you’re traveling to a place that is expecting heavy snow, or the state you live in gets snow, you’ll want to invest in some snow tires or chains. Not only does this give your car more traction, but it helps to avoid sliding all over the road, which can put other drivers in danger. 

Be Aware of Blind Spots

Drivers tend to forget that both sides of your car come with a few blind spots. This makes it hard to see other drivers when exiting the highway or even changing lanes. Before moving out of any lane you should turn around to check each side of the car and not avoid on side mirrors. 

Avoid Distracted Driving

You should avoid distracted driving all the time, but especially during busy times of the year where more people are traveling than average. Avoid texting and driving, eating while driving, or anything that takes your hands off the wheel and eyes off the road.  It is better to wait or pullover rather than get into an accident and ruin this time of year. 

Public Events

There are so many public events going on during Thanksgiving that it’s too much to list. But, some of the more popular ones are the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Rose Bowl Turkey Trot, and many other Thanksgiving Day races and festivals. While all of these are fun things to do, large crowds can attract unwanted behavior. 

Stay Alert

You want to always be alert of your surroundings and report any suspicious behavior to authorities immediately. Do not be afraid to leave an event or relocate to a different spot if you see something that could potentially put you and your loved ones in danger. 

Keep Personal Belongings Close

To avoid theft or robberies, keep your personal belongings close, or completely out of sight from strangers. If you need to leave items in your car, keep them out of sight and make sure your car is locked and the alarm is working.

Tell Someone Where You’re Going

Before heading out to an event, tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back. This will come in handy in case of an emergency. 

Home 

Not everyone stays in their homes for Thanksgiving, so you want to make sure you still keep your home safe.

Invest in Home Security

A home security system is a great way to keep your home secure while you’re out of town or at an event. You want to make sure it’s installed properly and all features are set up and working before you leave.

Lock Your Doors

As simple as it sounds, don’t forget to lock your doors and windows before heading out. You’d be surprised how many homeowners have their homes broken into simply because a window was left open and a door was unlocked.

Tell a Neighbor 

If you’re heading out for an extended period of time, tell a trusted neighbor when you’re leaving and when you’re returning. This will have an added layer of security because they won’t let mail pile up (which is a huge signal that a house is unattended) and they will be able to turn porch lights on. 

Travel 

Traveling during this time of year is chaos but there are a few easy things you can do to mitigate the risk of accidents. 

Plan Your Trip

Before going out of town, make sure to plan your trip all the way down to where you stop for breaks and what hotels you’re staying at. You want to have all your bases covered so there’s no room for accidents.

Leave on Time

So many accidents are caused by reckless driving due to being late for a trip. Give yourself plenty of time to head to the airport or travel to your destination. If you aren’t the one driving, make sure your form of transportation gets to your house with enough time to pack up the car and head out. 

Do Prior Research

Before picking a place to vacation, do proper research on the place or event you’re going to. You’ll want to read reviews, ask around, or even call some places to get the scoop. 

Overall, there are many precautions to take year-round, but this time of year makes people frantic and act without thinking. To protect you and your loved ones, take the extra time to be safe and prevent any unnecessary accidents.

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