Thanksgiving is around the corner, and it’s known for being one of the busiest shopping times of the year. For many people, this means increased traffic, longer lines, busier supermarkets, and more potential accidents waiting to happen. You can reduce your wait time, your stress level, and your risk of getting in an accident by avoiding the chaos altogether. Here are some tips:
1. Start planning now. Know where you’ll be attending dinner and make plans to arrive early and leave early. Don’t drive later at night when there is a greater likelihood of intoxicated drivers on the road, and leave yourself plenty of time to get to your destination without having to hurry. If you’re hosting, plan Thanksgiving dinner earlier in the day, like right after lunchtime. This gives your guests plenty of time to socialize and still leave during daylight hours. If your dinner will be later in the day, make arrangements to have guests stay with you or take public transportation home.
2. Order your food ahead of time. Whether you’re bringing a dish to a friend’s house or planning to cook the whole meal, most grocery stores take early orders for turkey and other dishes. If you get your order in early, you’ll be able to pick it up early as well and avoid the long lines and congestion.
3. Know your guests. Many people suffer from food allergies. Make sure to plan your menu ahead of time and check with guests so you can avoid a potentially fatal reaction to something you cook. If you have guests bringing dishes, alert them of the harmful ingredients as well, so you won’t have any contaminants in your house.
4. Have a transportation and parking plan. If you have a lot of guests coming over, make sure you have plenty of parking spaces, a well-lit walkway to your house, and encourage everyone to have a designated driver if they are drinking at your party.
5. Keep the kids occupied. Invest in a few games that will keep children busy instead of running around your house. Card games, a holiday movie, building blocks, and art supplies are all good options. If you opt for art, purchase a large drop cloth to place on the floor and let kids work on top of it. At the end of the night, simply fold up the whole thing to clean up the mess. Also, close off areas that could present a hazard to children, like swimming pools, hot tubs, tall bookshelves, etc.
6. Accommodate all guests. If you have guests who are older or who have mobility issues, make sure to plan ahead and create a seating, transportation and parking arrangement that will meet their needs. You’ll want to make sure there aren’t any tripping hazards in your house that could cause someone injury.
If you do suffer an injury during the holidays because someone else wasn’t careful, you can always talk to The Husband and Wife Law Team about filing a personal injury claim. Call us today for a free consultation, and we hope you all have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!