Turkey safety

Top 5 Thanksgiving Dangers and How Being A Runner Could Save Your Life.

1. Choking on an Appetizer

Anybody can get something stuck in their throat. It's decidedly more common for the kids and grandparents -- although it gets more common as the adult beverages start flowing.  But have no fear, your increased endurance will be helpful as you sprint across the room, hurdling a sleeping Aunt Sally, and still have the stamina to perform the Heimlich maneuver.  All those Fartleks and Interval training days will surely have paid off.

2. CuttingYourself Instead of the Turkey

Cutting yourself in the kitchen is both a curse and a blessing – bacteria from food abounds, but you have everything you need to clean your wound at the ready.  Your running skills once again will save the day.  Odds are that you’ll have no band aids in the house.  Your long distance training will make short work of the run to the store.  Not only will you help stop the bleeding but also get in the miles needed for that second helping of turkey.

3. Lighting the Kitchen on Fire

Grease fires are notoriously dangerous. It's easy to extinguish the typical grease fire by smothering it, but make sure everyone is heading out of the house first.  You may have to run for your life…enough said!

4. Getting Burned bythe Oven

Burns are some of the most common injuries around the house.  Make sure you know what to do if your bird decides to seek some revenge.  If you have the misfortune to suffer a burn, your increased VO2 max will enable you to hold your tongue long enough to make sure there are no young or sensitive ears within shouting distance.  All the hill runs will be worth it so that you don’t teach young nephew Johnny all the wrong things to say.

5. Getting Sick from the Food

Imagine the looks you'll get from your mother-in-law after giving the entire family food poisoning. Learn how to recognize food poisoning symptoms, and follow these food safety tips: Cook, Separate, Clean, and Chill. 

Cook food to a safe internal temperature to destroy any harmful bacteria. The safe temperature for poultry is 180 degrees. 

Separate cooked and uncooked foods, as well as foods eaten raw and those cooked before eating. Cross-contamination occurs when raw meats or eggs come in contact with foods that will be eaten uncooked. This is a major source of food poisoning.

Cleaning is a crucial part of food safety. Wash your hands and work surfaces frequently when you are cooking and after you have blown your nose, been to the bathroom, touched a pet, or changed a diaper. Plain old soap and water are very effective. 

Chilling food is very important. The danger zone where bacteria multiply is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Your refrigerator should be set to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below; your freezer should be 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Here's a simple rule: serve hot foods hot, cold foods cold. 

And if all of this fails and the bird executes a surprise attack on your insides, those fast twitch muscles will come in handy as you try to beat the rest of the family to the bathroom.

Of course this is all in jest, have fun this holiday season, enjoy the time with your family, enjoy the free time from work, long a few extra miles and most importantly, Give Thanks to GOD for the blessing of your life and the gifts we have been given.

Now pass the turkey!