Iowa hospitals brace for host of Thanksgiving injuries

Iowa hospitals are bracing for a rash of Thanksgiving injuries, from wanna-be chefs fumbling around the kitchen to armchair athletes overdoing their backyard exploits. Some folks will be hurt in the crush of crowds at the mall on Friday or lugging around heavy boxes of Christmas ornaments, while others will be burned in kitchen mishaps. Dr. Timothy Light, a surgeon at University Hospitals in Iowa City, says maybe it’s because out-of-practice cooks are trying to impress the family with their culinary skills. Dr. Light says “A lot more people do cook around Thanksgiving. It’s one of the biggest holidays celebrated in America with a lot of family participation and travel. I’m not sure if it’s just more people cooking or people who aren’t used to cooking, or if it’s the combination of cooking plus alcohol plus celebration, but there clearly is an increase in the injuries.” Light says he always sees a boost in burns, back injuries and other accidents on and around this holiday. Dr. Light says “The day after Thanksgiving is one of the biggest shopping days in the country with people out doing things and buying things and playing backyard football with your kids and cousins and neighbors. Be safe. Use good lifting techniques. Bend at the knees. Don’t overdo yourself.” He says the same thing applies for hauling around hefty Christmas trees or trying to hang holiday lights on your roof — don’t try to take on too much or you’ll end up on the injured list.