Mayo Clinic Minute: Be careful when carving on Thanksgiving

Food tends to be the focus on Thanksgiving, but preparing that food is often trickier than many people expect. Dr. Sanj Kakar, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic hand surgeon, says far too often, he sees patients who've injured themselves while carving their Thanksgiving turkey. "We see everything from cuts and lacerations, to tendons and nerves being injured, to even more severe injuries like fractures and even amputations," says Dr. Kakar. To lessen your risk, Dr. Kakar suggests using a meat fork to stabilize the turkey as you carve. And, don't neglect the carving knife. "If the knife is sharp, you actually have to use less force, and you're less likely to slip and have an injury," he says. Another tip: Don't carve the turkey on a flat surface like a cutting board. Instead, use a plate with a rim, or even a roasting pan with a lip. "The reason for that is, as you're pushing down and you're cutting, the cutting board can actually give way if there's too much pressure, and then you can slip and cut yourself," says Dr. Kakar. Keep your hands away from the area where you're cutting, and be sure your fingers and thumb are always out of the slicing path. That means, no gripping the turkey with your fingers while you're cutting. Also, be mindful of the turkey's temperature when you start to carve. If it's too hot, it could cause you to drop the bird or slip with the knife. "If you need a little bit of help, you can have somebody stabilize the turkey for you while you're cutting," says Dr. Kakar. "Having a second set of hands can be really helpful and prevent injury as well." If you do cut yourself, immediately apply pressure with a clean cloth or towel to stop the bleeding. "Cleaning the wound with mild soap and water is helpful," says Dr. Kakar. "And if the bleeding has stopped and the wound does not look deep, then use an over-the-counter topical antibiotic ointment and have a dressing on it." Lastly, if you can see deep down into the cut, or if the bleeding doesn't stop within 10 to 15 minutes, seek medical attention. "While it's important to enjoy the meal, it's also important to be safety conscious and prevent injuries during the preparation of food," says Dr. Kakar. So, while you're gathering your ingredients and planning your Thanksgiving meal, take a minute to plan how you'll safely tackle that turkey carving job.