ARLINGTON, Texas — For many, Thanksgiving Day is the season opener of family festivities, starting with celebratory meals and leading into hanging lights and weeks of parties. It also marks one of the busiest times for health professionals who work in Texas Health Resources emergency departments. 

“We staff Thanksgiving Day like we would staff any other day, with the expectation that it may get very busy, and we need to be ready,” said Taylor Ballesteros, B.S.N., R.N., CEN, a charge nurse in Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth’s Emergency Department.

Patients arrive with a variety of injuries and medical conditions during the holidays, including burns, cuts, sprains, bruises, respiratory illnesses and food poisoning.

The kitchen is one of the busiest places during Thanksgiving, with people sauteing, frying and baking in preparation for the big meal.

“The biggest health tip I can offer is to simply slow down, so you reduce the chances of an accident,” said Andrew Morris, D.O., emergency physician and chair of emergency medicine at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano. “Steam from a pot or a splash of hot gravy can result in a serious burn and an unexpected visit to an emergency department.”

The National Safety Council discourages the use of turkey fryers at home and urges those who prefer fried turkey to purchase it from professional establishments or consider using an oil-less cooking method. Injuries from turkey fryers can be severe enough to send people to the emergency department.

“People who don’t fry turkeys all the time may end up in dangerous situations,” Ballesteros said. “They might huddle around a turkey fryer, and if something spills, they could get burned.”

Hanging outdoor holiday decorations and lights can lead to slips and falls, resulting in sprained ankles, broken bones or concussions. In fact, an unintentional fall is the leading cause of emergency room visits nationwide in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2022, there were more than 8.5 million emergency room visits related to these falls.

“We want everyone to have a safe Thanksgiving and holiday season,” said Kirk King, chief operating officer, Hospital Channel. “If accidents or medical emergencies occur, we are ready to provide our patients with quality care when they need us most.”

For medical needs that require quick treatment, but are not life-threatening, patients can seek quality care at Texas Health Breeze Urgent Care centers located across North Texas. Texas Health operates 30 locations that offer care 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“Breeze Urgent Care offers convenient care all year, including the holidays,” Jamie Harraid, Texas Health vice president of Ambulatory Services. “Patients can get a quick diagnosis, answers to their questions and treatment options. And don’t forget, if you have something easy and don’t want to leave your house, a Quick Care Video Visit is a fast way to get care from the same Breeze Urgent Care providers.”

Information about Texas Health medical resources is available online.

Information about Texas Health Breeze Urgent Care is available online at: https://breezeurgentcare.texashealth.org/