Thanksgiving is less than 48 hours away, and that means the dreaded quadruple F’s of the Holiday season. Food, Family, Football, and Family (domestic) Disputes. As a firefighter for the past 10 years, I can personally attest that the amount of domestic disputes dramatically increase during the Holidays.

Family fights start for many reasons. And often it is a compilation of events that eventually leads to a blow-over. Extra family in town, long days of travel, burnt or missing food dishes, drinking too much (or not enough) alcohol, the Detroit Lions playing on Thanksgiving Day again. The list goes on and on.

For whatever the reason, family fights and emergency responses by the Police and Fire Departments increase dramatically around the Holidays. And when the Police show up, you can guarantee that at least one person is going to jail for at least 24 hours. This Thanksgiving, let calmer heads prevail and try to avoid the pending family fight at all costs. After all, going to jail will really drain your Holiday spirit, bank accounts, and could possibly even cost you your job.

Enjoy the food, enjoy the family, enjoy the parade, and enjoy the Lions on TV (yeah right!). Most of all, be safe no matter where you are and who you are with. Keep in mind that extra family over could mean extra medicine laying around for your kids and pets to get into. Keep ALL medications locked up and dispensed only as needed.