Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks for the good things in your life and spend time with your friends and family. While the holiday is traditionally associated with relaxing, watching football and maybe beginning to decorate for upcoming celebrations, there is one event that can lead to tremendous stress: carving the Thanksgiving turkey. From chaos around the kitchen and dining area to sudden, loud noises from chatter, there are several potential distractions that can lead to missteps, leading to cuts and lacerations that may require stitches and other medical treatment. Follow these tips to stay safe while carving and serving turkey to your Thanksgiving guests!
Don’t carve it right away
After spending three to five hours roasting in the oven, the juices from the meat with be at the top, just underneath the skin, and will be extremely hot. If you cut into it immediately, you risk the possibility of splattering those in reach with the juices, which can lead to burns on skin, eyes and mouths. After you take the bird out of the oven, wait at least 30 minutes to being carving to allow the meat to cool and the juices to settle. This allows you to enjoy the meal without worrying about burns or having it be too hot to eat.
Check your knives
You may not think to check your knives between uses: how dull can they get just sitting in a knife block? However, a dull knife can lead to problems when it comes to carving a dish. Run the carving knife through a knife sharpener, a metal rod that comes with most knife sets, before cutting your first slice. In order to keep the bird in place and avoid having it move around, use a meat fork or serving fork to keep it steady. Always cut away from you to reduce risk of accidents. If you are unsure of your carving abilities, consider using an electric knife for a more steady and even slice.
Limit the amount of distractions around you
Make sure you are cutting the turkey in a quiet, well-lit space. Light is critical to seeing what you are doing as well as where the edges of the slice are, allowing you to measure out even slices for everyone around the table. Reducing the amount of noise surrounding you will be able to limit the jagged edges on each slice and ensure that everything is evenly distributed.
Treatment of Injuries & Lacerations in Paramus, NJ
If you sustain a kitchen injury, visit AFC Urgent Care Paramus to get it checked and treated immediately. Our team is trained and equipped to treat minor burns and perform stitches on cuts. Most major insurances plans are accepted, and you never need to make an appointment. For more information, please call 201-262-2010.
