5 Mistakes to Avoid Making This Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving promises to be one to remember — or forget. Whether you are spending the holiday with family and a turkey dinner (or by yourself and a turkey sandwich), here are four easy mistakes any homeowner might make this holiday season — and how to avoid them.

Letting Your Gutter Fill With Leaves

Okay this one isn’t specific to Thanksgiving — but it’s important! Gutters provide an essential function by transferring potentially damaging water from your roof to the ground. Gutters are truly useful when properly maintained; but if they become clogged with leaves or other debris (like around Thanksgiving time), the results can be disastrous.

Forgetting to Move Your Pumpkins Off the Porch

Did you know that an uncarved pumpkin can last two to three months if kept away from the hot sun, freezing temperatures, or angsty trick-or-treaters? But if left alone on your front porch, they'll quickly rot. Rather than leave your pumpkins to stink up your outdoor entryway or take up space in your garbage can, take it out back and let it decompose naturally in your garden or yard where it can nourish your garden through the winter.

Running Your Heater and Fireplace at the Same Time

This one may seem obvious, but you don’t need to have two sources of heat running in your house simultaneously. Take a second to make sure your indoor HVAC system isn’t running at the same time as your wood stove or fireplace, wasting energy.

Cooking Without Preparing for Trouble

Fun fact: there are more than double the house fires on Thanksgiving Day than on any other day in the year. Not only that, but over three-quarters of these fires were cooking accidents! Before you begin working on your 15-course Thanksgiving dinner, make sure you have emergency essentials on hand: a fire extinguisher, a smothering blanket, and an evacuation plan.

Planning a Big Thanksgiving Celebration

This year has been a decade long, hasn't it? But now is not the time to become complacent with social distancing. Instead of traveling or feeding a large group in person, consider hosting a virtual Thanksgiving celebration this year. Your community, healthcare system, and future self will thank you for it.

May your Thanksgiving be restful and nourishing to both body and mind. And, happy holidays!