As the holidays are fast approaching many of us will be preparing turkey for dinner.  Don’t forget safety.  Over 80% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving and many also prepare it for the Christmas meal as well.  Cuts from carving turkey are one of the top five most common injuries on Thanksgiving.

Do’s and Don’ts when carving:

• Never cut toward yourself. One slip can cause a horrific injury.
• Place free hand on the opposite side you are carving toward.
• Don’t place your hand underneath the blade to catch the slice of meat.
• Keep all cutting knives sharp. A sharp knife requires less force to cut.

Keep your food prep area well lit and dry. Good lighting will help prevent an accidental cut and making sure your cutting surface is dry will prevent ingredients from slipping while chopping.

Keep your knife handles dry.  A wet handle can be slippery and cause your hand to slip down onto the blade, resulting in injury.

Seek medical help if:

• If you cut your finger or hand and the bleeding will not stop by applying pressure to the wound.
• Continuous pressure does not stop the bleeding after 15 minutes.
• You are unsure of your tetanus immunization status.
• You notice persistent numbness and tingling in the cut finger.
• You do not have full range of motion in the hand or finger.