Whether it's turkey trouble or burst pipes, help is available this Thanksgiving
You're probably familiar with Murphy's Law — "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong" — and if you've ever hosted family and friends for a holiday get-together, you know how true that adage can be.
There's no need to fear, however. Here are some resources for almost anything that could go wrong over the holidays. As always, in the event of an emergency, call 911.
Operators are standing by to talk turkey with you
Turkey giving you trouble? You can call, text or chat online with one of 50 Butterball experts who answer more than 100,000 questions each year. From Nov. 1 to Dec. 24, people can call 1-800-BUTTERBALL (1-800-288-8372) or text 844-877-3456 with questions about turkey. The text line is open 27/4.
Below are the hotline's hours, in local time.
Nov. 21-22: 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
Nov. 23: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Nov. 24-Dec. 22 (weekdays only): 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Dec. 23-24: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
More: Study ranks Missouri No. 4 in fatal speed-related crashes, with twice the national average
Great giblets of fire — deep fry at your own risk
While Butterball offers advice for indoor and outdoor deep frying, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends that your fryer be outside and at least 10 feet from your home, and not under any roof eaves. It should also be on a sturdy, level surface and should not be moved once it is in use. Children and pets should be kept at least three feet away from the turkey fryer.
Turkeys should be completely thawed or fresh before frying and free of any moisture — a frozen turkey and boiling oil are an explosive combination.
According to the National Fire Prevention Association, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. The leading contributing factor in those fires was unattended cooking.
For a safer alternative, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends using an electric or air fryer. The NFPA strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers.
Poison control still open on Thanksgiving
Data from the American Association of Poison Control Centers indicates that in Missouri, 93% of poisoning cases happened in a home in 2021 and most of them were unintentional.
Poisonings can occur when someone takes the wrong kind or amount of medicine, when someone mixes cleaning supplies, ingests household items like dish soap, or drinks too much alcohol. The Missouri Poison Control Center recommends that people keep medicines and household products stored in original containers and away from food.
If something potentially harmful has been swallowed, you should not try home remedies or try to make someone throw up; call the poison control center right away.
The Missouri Poison Center has a 24/7 line staffed by registered nurses and pharmacists who can provide treatment advice. The hotline is confidential, free of charge and can be called at 1-800-222-1222. If someone stops breathing, collapses or has a seizure, call 911.
Additionally, practice safe food handling practices to prevent giving your guests food poisoning — wash your hands and clean surfaces often; keep raw food items like meat, eggs and seafood separate from ready-to-eat foods; cook foods to the correct temperature; keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
More: With winter approaching, OACAC weatherization services help people save money, stay warm
Mental health help available for you and those you love
While the holidays are often associated with joy and love, the pressures of family gatherings or stress of preparing a meal can take a toll on anyone.
However, the stress can make already existing mental illness like anxiety or depression worse.
There is help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7. It provides free and confidential support and crisis counseling as well as crisis resources for people who are suicidal or in emotional distress. You can call or text 988.
If you're concerned about someone, you can call 988 to find resources to help them.
Some signs that a person is struggling this holiday season could include them being more withdrawn or irritable, or exhibiting more impulsive or erratic behavior, according to Cedars-Sinai.
Burst pipe or lack of heat? Springfield plumbers, HVAC techs can help
Maybe you went to take a shower the day of Thanksgiving only to find you have no hot water or wake up to find a pipe burst.
Here are some of the plumbers that offer 24/7 emergency services:
All Klear — Website: www.allklearplumbingheatingandcooling.com, phone: 417-228-8582;
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing — Website: www.benjaminfranklinplumbing.com/springfield, phone: 417-213-8973;
Connelly — Website: connellyplumbing.com, phone: 417-866-2256;
DeLong Plumbing — Website: www.delongplumbing.com, phone:417-883-3535;
Dependable Plumbing — Website: www.dependableplumbing417.com, phone: 417-883-0100;
Farr Better Plumbing — Website: farrbetterplumbing.com, phone: 417-864-8703;
Lorenz Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning — Website: lorenzphac.com, phone: 417-863-1122;
Plumb-Rite — Website, www.plumb-riteplumbing.com, phone: 417-866-9797;
Rotorooter — Website: www.rotorooter.com/springfieldmo, phone: 417-866-3656;
United Plumbing — Website: plumbingspringfieldmo.com, phone: 417-891-9777.
If the weather is dangerously cold, heating problems can also be an issue. However, if you smell gas, get at least 300 feet away from the area and then call 911 or contact City Utilities at 417-863-9000 to report a gas service problem.
Here are some of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning companies that offer 24/7 service:
Aire Serv — Website: www.aireserv.com/springfield, phone: 417-600-2053;
All Klear — Website: www.allklearplumbingheatingandcooling.com, phone: 417-228-8582;
DeLong Plumbing — Website: www.delongplumbing.com, phone:417-883-3535;
Lorenz Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning — Website: lorenzphac.com, phone: 417-863-1122;
Jon Wayne Heating & Air — Website: jonwayneheatingandair.com, phone: 417-831-9500;
Knight Heating & AC — Website: www.knightheatingandac.com, phone: 417-725-2512;
One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning — Website: www.onehourheatandair.com, phone: 417-344-2571;
SS&B Heating and Cooling — Website: ssbhc.com, phone: 417-866-0990;
Spencer HVAC Service — Website: www.spencerhvacservicellc.com, phone: 417-365-3430.
If your home loses heat, be careful trying to keep it warm while someone comes to fix it. Using generators, charcoal grills, camp stoves or other devices that burn charcoal or gasoline inside can put you at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you choose to use a portable space heater to keep warm, there are also things to keep in mind.
According to the NFPA, portable and fixed space heaters were the cause of 88% of civilian deaths in home heating fires from 2016 to 2020. Those using portable space heaters should keep at least three feet between the heater and any combustible materials. Additionally, electric equipment that is used to produce heat can put a "tremendous load" on a home's electrical system, leading to circuits overloading.
Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Thanksgiving problems? Avoid or handle them with these resources
