Some people love the holiday season; being surrounded by friends, family, and food generally brings positive feelings and creates happy memories. Other people, much like Dr. Seuss’ Grinch, hate the holidays. For these people, Thanksgiving is an obstacle course of avoiding unwanted hugs from heavily-perfumed female relatives, trying to cook a turkey the size of some of their younger cousins, and desperately trying to think of conversation topics that won’t launch the dinner party into a furious debate or awkward silence. This group may not be entirely incorrect in assessing Thanksgiving as a death trap- many health organizations share that belief, due to the sheer number of injuries sustained during the holiday season.

• Decorating for the holidays can be fatal- according to the CDC, the risk of injuries from falls increases starting November 1 each year, when people begin decorating their homes in preparation for the season.

• Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and travelling means risking catching or spreading the flu. The American Red Cross suggests using hand sanitizer before touching anything in airports or during the flight, and urges travelers to bring their own pillows, blankets, and headphones to avoid anything that may have come into contact with the flu virus.

• Increased travel also means more traffic accidents due to congestion and drivers who aren’t paying attention. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration steps up impaired-driving enforcement during high-risk periods like Thanksgiving and New Years, and creates safety campaigns specifically for the holidays.

• The Red Cross advises avoiding the traditional kisses and handshakes during flu season, disappointing enthusiastic grandmothers everywhere.

• Deep-frying continues to be a popular turkey-cooking method. It also continues to necessitate a trip to the ER or a call to the fire department if it’s done incorrectly. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) names Thanksgiving as the day with the highest number of cooking fires- Firefighters respond to approximately three times as many cooking fire calls as on any other day. Frying creates grease with temperatures above 1,500 degrees, which is disastrous if it splatters or spills.

• Practicing kitchen safety techniques can reduce the number of cuts, burns, and other injuries sustained during food preparation. Checking the temperature of the turkey in several places and preparing stuffing outside the bird can prevent food-borne illness, according to Michigan State University.

• While the food is cooking, some families blow off steam by playing football in the backyard. As long as someone stays in the kitchen so the stove and oven aren’t left unattended (the leading cause of kitchen fires, according to the NFPA), everyone is happy. Unfortunately, a rough tackle can result in knee or ankle injuries.

• The American Heart Association (AHA) has conducted studies that show the risk of cardiac death increases during the holiday season, starting at Thanksgiving and peaking on New Year’s Day. The AHA postulates that this may be due to emotional stress and overindulgence.

• Thanksgiving isn’t even safe for pets. The ASPCA warns against feeding animals turkey, which could contain bone splinters that cause throat and digestive track blockages. The grease and fat in poultry often results in upset stomachs, and pets that ingest alcohol can become so sick they slip into a coma.

• Since the holiday is centered on eating, it’s no surprise that choking is a common occurrence Thanksgiving Day. Talking while eating, eating too quickly, and trying to swallow poorly-chewed food all increase the risk of choking, according to the Red Cross.

Thanksgiving may be trying to kill everyone, but practicing basic safety and using common sense can ensure a joyful holiday season … or at least a day spent outside of the emergency room.