Safety tips for the long holiday weekend Published Nov. 19, 2015 By Steve Serrette 72nd Air Base Wing Safety Office TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- As we prepare for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, it's time to think about a few ways to stay safe during the long weekend. Drive safely According to AAA, more than 42 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from "home" during Thanksgiving weekend. Extended weekends like this present additional safety concerns above and beyond what is presented on an "ordinary" weekend. One of the major concerns is that the potential for motor vehicle accidents rises dramatically. This is because the highways are substantially more crowded and driving distances are longer than normal. One way to minimize the accident risk is to do most, if not all, of your driving during daylight hours. Distracted driving (having the attention divided) has become a major and deadly problem on the roads. Resist the urge to text, talk on the cellphone, fiddle with the radio controls, enjoy a meal behind the steering wheel and apply make-up. The list of what not to do goes on and on. There are three types of driving distractions -- visual, cognitive and manual. Stay very focused on the task at hand -- operating the vehicle safely to stay alive -- and remain properly buckled-up when the vehicle is in motion. Food preparations One of the mainstays of Thanksgiving is the traditional turkey dinner. However, improper storing, cooking and serving of a turkey can lead to the growth of harmful bacteria, which can cause food-borne illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 5,000 deaths annually are the result of improperly cooked holiday food. Cooking foods to high temperatures and proper refrigeration will help stop the growth of disease causing bacteria which can lead to possible food poisoning. For information on methods for cooking a turkey, call the U.S. Department of Agriculture Meat and Poultry hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or TTY: 1-800-674-6854. The hotline is open on Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., but is closed on other federal holidays. Additional information is available at www.cdc.gov and www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/seasonal-food-safety/seasonal-food-safety. Don't be a victim "Black Friday" usually marks the kick-off for holiday shopping, and with it, an increase in all kinds of theft, especially identity theft. The combination of too-good-to-be-true deals and shoppers hopped up on copious amounts of caffeine and tryptophan can be dangerous, though! Here are a few ways to protect yourself: 1. Whenever possible, swipe your own credit card and never let your card out of your sight. Only use one card for holiday shopping; this will make it easier to scrutinize your billing statement and check for identity theft. 2. Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN. Watch out for strangers who are getting too close in line behind you. 3. Leave your other credit and debit cards at home and never ever carry your Social Security card with you. Why? During the holiday season, the average suburban shopping mall is "ground zero" for pickpockets, thieves and other grinches who are looking to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers. Be aware of your surroundings, especially in a crowded mall. Pushing and shoving to grab a coveted toy? When we're distracted, we're vulnerable to pickpockets. Pickpockets often work in teams. Watch out for shoppers who bump into you or otherwise create a commotion; while your attention is elsewhere, an accomplice may be grabbing your wallet. 4. Watch out when driving in the parking lots. Overzealous drivers can make parking lots a "zoo." Watch out for the geniuses who drive down the wrong way in a one-directional parking lot aisle. 5. Make a clear mental note or write down exactly where you parked your vehicle to avoid wandering around longer than necessary. 6. When shopping, keep gifts in the trunk or hidden from view in the interior of the car. Also, put all of your packages in the trunk before departing one parking lot and driving to another. Waiting until your next shopping destination allows others to see packages go into the trunk of your car and then you departing into the mall or store. As a final reminder, stay alert to your surroundings, and always expect the unexpected. The 72nd ABW Base Safety office wants you to return safely to work on Nov. 30 and subsequently remain safe and healthy for the rest of the holiday season. Keep the Quest-for-Zero in mind at all times!