Turkey, football, and family time—Thanksgiving is warm and wonderful… until a preventable mishap turns into a liability claim. The holiday brings real risk exposures for homeowners: cooking fires, slips and falls, alcohol-related accidents, foodborne illness, and decoration hazards. The good news: with a few practical steps (and the right insurance in place), you can protect your guests, your home, and your wallet.
Below are the most common risks and how to reduce them. If you’re unsure how your current policy would respond, the licensed advisors at Tom Needham Insurance can walk you through your coverage and options: explore Homeowners Insurance and a policy review at Tom Needham Insurance.
1) Kitchen & Cooking: Thanksgiving’s #1 Hazard
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires. On Thanksgiving Day specifically, U.S. fire departments see a surge in cooking-related incidents—NFPA reported over 1,600 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving in 2022 (roughly 4x the daily average).
Risk reducers (and claim preventers):
- Stay with the oven and stove. Unattended cooking drives most incidents. Keep a responsible adult in the kitchen at all times when burners or the oven are on. (Deep-frying turkeys is strongly discouraged by NFPA due to splash burns and ignition risk.)
- Stage a safety zone. Keep kids and pets three feet from hot surfaces and splash areas.
- Have the right extinguisher. A Class ABC extinguisher nearby, lids for smothering pan fires, and working smoke alarms are musts.
- Use a thermometer. Cook turkey to an internal 165°F (check breast, thigh, and wing joints) to kill pathogens—and never wash raw poultry (it spreads bacteria).
2) Social Host Liability: Alcohol, Driving, and Your Responsibility
If you serve alcohol, you may have exposure under North Carolina’s social host liability doctrine. In NC, a host can face civil liability if they serve alcohol to someone they know or should know is intoxicated and they know or should know the person will be driving—and that guest later causes injuries or damage.
Risk reducers:
- Name a sober host. Have one adult skip alcohol to monitor guest safety and coordinate rides.
- Cut off overservice. Switch to water/coffee late in the evening; close the bar before the event ends.
- Plan rides. Encourage designated drivers, rideshare, or guest sleepovers.
- Mind minors. Never serve alcohol to anyone under 21.
Insurance tip: Personal liability (included in most homeowners policies) may respond to covered negligence claims, but alcohol-related incidents and exclusions vary. Consider a higher liability limit or an umbrella policy for additional protection; ask your agent to model scenarios. Start with a policy review here: Protect Your Home with Comprehensive Homeowners Insurance.
3) Slips, Trips & Decorating Injuries
Holiday decorating sends thousands to the ER each season. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates ~14,900 decorating-related injuries (Nov–Jan) in a recent season, with about half involving falls—often from ladders.
Risk reducers:
- Clear walking paths. Keep entries and stairs free of leaves, cords, gifts, and clutter.
- Light it right. Add adequate lighting at walkways and steps; repair loose handrails.
- Use ladders safely. One person up, one spotting; keep three points of contact and never overreach. Follow manufacturer weight ratings.
- Outdoor electricity. Use GFCI outlets and outdoor-rated cords; keep connections off the ground and away from water.
4) Food Safety & Leftovers: Avoid Illness (and Liability)
Large holiday meals increase the chance of foodborne illness. The CDC emphasizes four basics—Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill—and warns to keep foods out of the 40°F–140°F “danger zone.” Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of serving.
Risk reducers:
- Safe thawing. Thaw turkey in the fridge (never on the counter) and keep raw juices away from ready-to-eat foods.
- Cook to temp. Turkey (and stuffing, if cooked inside) should reach 165°F; verify in three spots and don’t rely on color alone.
- Handle leftovers. Divide into shallow containers and chill promptly; reheat to 165°F.
5) Pets, Kids & Crowded Spaces
Even friendly pets can bite when stressed by noise and unfamiliar guests. Tripping hazards multiply when kids are playing in busy kitchens or stairwells.
Risk reducers:
- Create zones. Set a quiet room for pets; use baby gates to keep kids out of hot or hazardous areas.
- Secure décor. Anchor trees and heavy items; keep candles high and supervised.
- Label allergens. Call out nuts, dairy, gluten, and other common allergens on buffet cards.
Coverage Check: Do You Have the Right Limits?
Holiday mishaps can become costly: medical bills for a guest injury, property damage from a kitchen fire, or attorney fees if you’re sued. A standard homeowners policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, loss of use, and personal liability—but limits vary by policy and carrier.
- Liability limits: Many families carry $100,000–$300,000. Ask your agent whether a higher limit—or an umbrella policy of $1M+—makes sense given your home equity, savings, and risk tolerance.
- Special features: Verify medical payments to others’ coverage (often $1,000–$5,000) to handle minor injuries without litigation.
- Fire & smoke: Confirm replacement-cost coverage for your home and contents and discuss any cooking-related exclusions or device requirements (e.g., functioning smoke alarms).
Explore your options and local carrier choices at Homeowners Insurance – Tom Needham Insurance and learn about NC policy forms like HO-3 or HE-7.
Quick, Agent-Tested Checklist for Thanksgiving Hosts
- Kitchen: Stay with the oven and stove; keep a lid nearby; turn pot handles inward; keep combustibles (towels, oven mitts) away from burners.
- Thermometers: Cook turkey & stuffing to 165°F; chill leftovers within 2 hours.
- Guests: Salt icy steps; add doormats; tape down cords; light walkways; secure handrails.
- Alcohol: Stop service early; offer rides; never serve minors; encourage designated drivers. (NC social host rules apply.)
- Décor: Use outdoor-rated lights/cords; use ladders safely with a spotter; keep candles supervised.
- Insurance: Review liability limits and consider an umbrella; confirm medical-payments coverage; check smoke/CO detectors.
Final Word
Thanksgiving should be about connection—not claims. A little planning goes a long way: protect your kitchen, your guests, and your peace of mind. For a quick coverage check before the big day, contact Tom Needham Insurance or start with a homeowners review here: Tom Needham Insurance — Homeowners Insurance.