Turkey day is upon us, when relatives and friends descend from near and far to gobble stuffing, watch NFL football and reflect on the things they are thankful for. In the spirit of the holiday, make sure that by the end of the day you can still be grateful for your family's continued health and prosperity by following these Thanksgiving safety tips.

Careful with the Deep Fried Turkey 

Who needs a roaster? Adventuresome chefs who want to create a memorable Thanksgiving are turning to the deep fryer to cook the turkey. The process involves gallons of hot oil, so take precautions if you decide to use this method to prepare your bird:

With some prudence and awareness, you can enjoy your crispy bird safely. 

Beware Open Flames

Candles are a great way to provide atmosphere, but make sure they aren't close to any curtains or other flammable materials, and aren't in danger of getting knocked over. Never leave a burning candle unattended. The same goes for your gas burners. 

Clean up Your Clutter

Your guests might not be familiar with the idiosyncrasies of your house, like the children's cars scattered about the living room. Make sure any power cords and extensions cords aren't crossing the floor or walkway and posing potential trip hazards. 

Mind the Children

We expect adults to practice common sense, but children may not be so prudent. If you aren't used to having kids around, be aware that knives, candles, hot foods, liquids, matches and stoves might all prove irresistible to a curious youngster. Keep anything dangerous out of reach, and make sure the kids are supervised.

A recent KXAN news report featured the story of a Round Rock couple who built their home specifically for energy efficiency. Beginning with a strong metal roof designed to support the weight of solar panels, they installed 24 panels which generate ample amounts of electric current.

In winter months, their electric bills are very low. However, as spring and summer months bring greater levels of heat and sunlight, their electricity bills fall into a negative zone. That’s because their photovoltaic panels are producing more electricity than their home consumes. To further reduce electrical consumption, the couple has replaced many incandescent lights with solid state lighting. Special skylights called “solar tubes” provide bright interior lighting during daylight hours, making their home even more efficient. Efficient foam insulation and a roof design which provides longer overhangs shades the walls and further reduces the electricity needed for cooling the home. In addition to this, their home’s heating and cooling unit uses a geothermal well. For more information, click on this web link: News Link

If the bulbs in your fixtures aren’t easily replacable, you may need to buy new ones if you want to upgrade to more energy efficient lighting. Ultimately it will be worth the up-front investment either way, since you can save so much both in your energy bill and in replacement costs when you use LEDs or other similarly long-lasting solutions.

While some people like to own a house as soon as possible, it isn’t always practical. If you live in a rental, never fear! With just the right amount of ingenuity, you too can experience the joys of great lighting. Even if you aren’t allowed to tamper with the hardwiring, you can add more temporary fixtures such as battery operated puck lights under your kitchen cabinets or some really trendy plug-in lamps.