HRH Medical Group - Affordable Healthcare Clinic

11/19/2025

Thanksgiving Safety
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year, and it’s even more fun when everyone is safe. Raw turkey, cooking appliances, and busy kitchens can sometimes lead to unfortunate Thanksgiving mishaps. Here are some Thanksgiving safety tips to ensure a safe and delicious holiday.

Food Safety
To make sure the food you serve at Thanksgiving is safe for your family, a little bit of preparation and forethought is required. Fresh (or unfrozen) turkey should not be in your fridge for more than two days, so don’t buy too early.

Thawing Turkey
If your turkey is frozen, you will need to plan ahead so it can thaw correctly. It is extremely important that meat is thawed safely; otherwise, bacteria can grow in the meat which you will then ingest. DO NOT thaw a turkey at room temperature, as this is the ideal temperature for bacteria to grow.

Fridge Thawing
The best way to thaw frozen meat is in the fridge, or at a temperature of 40°F. It will take about 1 day for every 5 pounds to thaw a turkey in the fridge, (e.g. a 15-pound turkey will take 3 days to thaw) so plan accordingly. You also don’t want to move it into the fridge too early, as you don’t want it to sit unthawed for more than a day.

Cold Water Thawing
Oops, did you forget to plan ahead and find yourself with a frozen turkey the day before Thanksgiving? There is a quicker thawing method, but it takes a bit more work. You can thaw a turkey by immersing it in ice cold water, replacing the water every 30 minutes to keep it ice cold. If the water gets too warm, bacteria can start to develop on the outside of the meat. This method will take about 30 minutes per pound, so a 15-pound turkey will take 7-8 hours to thaw.

Cook From Frozen
Is it Thanksgiving Day and your turkey is frozen? Well, go ahead and pop it in the oven. You can cook a turkey from frozen, but it will take considerably longer. A 15 pound frozen turkey cooked at 325°F will take about 6 hours to cook, which is about 2-3 hours longer than it would take if it were thawed out.

Cooking Turkey
Before cooking your turkey, you must first pull out the giblets, usually found in a bag inside the turkey. Then rinse the turkey inside and out. Then stuff the turkey if you cook it with the stuffing in, although some cook the turkey and add on the stuffing on the side.

Follow this chart for cooking times based on the weight of your bird:

Cooking times for Thanksgiving turkey

These times are just guidelines. The safest way to make sure your bird is cooked is with a meat thermometer; the internal temperature should be 165°F.

Turkey Fryer Safety
Another option for cooking turkey is to fry it. This option is best for smaller turkeys; in fact, you do not want to fry a turkey any larger than 14 pounds. Any larger and the skin will burn before the inside can cook. If you will have a lot of people to feed, fry two smaller turkeys.

Set up an area outside to do the frying. It should be a level and as open an area as possible. It will be useful to have a small table nearby for your supplies and seasonings (by Leslie). Place something non-flammable such as a plywood board under the burner to catch any oil that may splatter.

Kitchen Safety
In addition to preparing the turkey safely, there are some preparations that should be made to ensure a busy kitchen is also a safe kitchen on Thanksgiving.

Make sure all smoke detectors have working batteries.
Keep children away from hot surfaces and fryers
Clean any area that raw turkey may have touched, as well as any dishes, utensils, and your hands, with antibacterial cleaner.
Have a fire extinguisher on hand, especially if frying a turkey
This infographic will help you remember the most important safety tips covered in this article. Have a very happy and safe Thanksgiving!

11/12/2025

For more information, please call the clinic at 918-653-2345 or send us a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

10/30/2025

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! WELCOME TO WONDERLAND.

Bring the kids by the clinic today and to see Alice and her crew and grab some candy.

10/29/2025

TRICK OR TREAT!!!

10/29/2025

Top Halloween Safety Tips for Kids
1. Safety Clothing
Since most trick or treating is done at night, it’s important to wear reflective clothing so that cars can see you. If your costume is mostly dark in color, apply some reflective tape in a visible area to ensure that they stand out.

For added visibility, include some glow-in-the-dark or light-up accessories. Not only do they make trick or treating safer, but they’re also fun to walk around with!

Another option is to utilize glow-in-the-dark or light-colored makeup in lieu of a mask (more on that later). The lighter the makeup, the more it will reflect the light.

2. Ditch The Masks and Contacts
Large masks can obstruct your child’s vision, limiting the areas they can see. And not only are they less likely to see oncoming traffic or other obstacles in their path, drivers are also less likely to see your child. However, if your kid is committed to trick or treating while dressed as their favorite superhero, there are still ways to do it safely. Face paint will give them all the benefits of a mask without obstructing their view.

Colored contacts are also not recommended when it comes to dressing up for Halloween. If you’re not used to contacts and they are non-prescription, it’s best to avoid them due to the potential for injury and obstructed view.

3. Go With Your Kids
As our kids get older, it can be tempting to allow them some freedom in the neighborhood. But when it comes to Halloween night, it’s best to stay with your kids.

Adults are inherently more aware of traffic and safety issues than kids are—especially around the distractions that Halloween has to offer. Who can think about safety when filling a bag with candy?

4. Skip The Dark Houses
Ringing every single bell on Halloween night may seem like the best way to get all the candy, but it is also one of the best ways to get hurt. Dark driveways, sidewalks, or porches can pose unseen obstacles such as debris, cords, uneven cement, or even critters.

It’s best to stick to the lit areas and purposely decorated homes. The general rule is that if the porch light is on, they’re open for candy!

5. Never Enter A Home
Whether your kids are aware of “stranger danger” or not, it’s never a good idea to enter someone’s home.

Teach your children to alert an adult immediately if someone asks them to come inside for candy. It might be completely innocent, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

6. Halloween Pedestrian Safety
In an effort to minimize traffic-related incidents, use the sidewalk when it is available. If there is not a sidewalk available, walk with the flow of traffic (with your safety tape or light-colored costume) and keep as close to the curb as possible.

7. Check Their Candy
While statistically, the worry about injecting drugs into your children’s Halloween candy is unfounded, it’s still best practice to inspect candies anyway.

Candy wrappers that have openings may not be covered in illegal substances, but they could have come into contact with dust, dirt, and even bugs. Check all candy packaging before you open it and use your discretion. If anything looks suspicious, throw it out. The same goes for the question ‘How long does Halloween candy last? and the answer is–it varies. Candies like jellies and hard candy will last up to a year while chocolate and candy corn is good for a few months. Check the wrappers, some will have a date on them.

If your child has food allergies, this is also a good time to remove any treats containing the offending ingredients. In addition, if you have a younger trick or treater, make sure their stash doesn’t include choking hazards, such as hard candies, nuts, or popcorn.

In the case that your child has an allergic reaction, refer to our emergency and after-hours information.

8. Appropriately Sized Costumes
The costume is one of the funniest aspects of Halloween, but it can also lead to some pretty scary injuries if not properly fitted. Make sure that costumes are not so large that they pose a tripping hazard, and that any wigs, hats, or eye coverings are out of their line of sight.

9. Obey All Traffic Laws
Obeying all traffic laws could be one key to keep your little ones safe this Halloween. This means stopping at stop signs, acknowledging yield signs, and using crosswalks/light signals when appropriate.

Just because the best house is across the street does not mean everyone should make a mad dash through the dark. Take the time to follow traffic signs; it just may save your family a trip to an urgent care facility.

10. Have A Plan
No matter how much planning, safety tips, or rules we set, something can always go wrong. In the event that one of your children is nowhere to be found, something as simple as taping their name and contact information somewhere on their costume or on a wristband could be extremely helpful.

For older kids, have a set meeting place for if they get lost. Long-range walkie-talkies would also be a good addition for optimal communication.

Driving Safety
Now that the kids know what to do, what can you do as a driver? You know that it’s Halloween so it’s best to be prepared for a little one to run out into the street. Drive slowly if you’re driving in a neighborhood and if you’re in a bigger intersection, a stop sign, or a stop light, make sure to make eye contact with the parents or children so that you both know that one another has been seen.

Always keep your lights on, even at dusk so that your vehicle can be seen clearly.

Halloween Safety for Photos and Social Media
Halloween is the perfect time to capture memories, but before you post those adorable costume pics, take a moment to consider safety and privacy by doing the following:

Turn off location tagging on your photos and posts.

Avoid sharing images that show your house number, street name, or school logo.

Double-check with other parents before posting group photos that include their kids.

Skip real-time route updates while you’re trick-or-treating to keep your location private.

By being mindful of what you share, and when, you can enjoy the fun of Halloween photos without compromising your child’s safety.

Halloween Is a Blast with the Proper Safety Measures
Halloween should be a fun and memorable time for your ghouls and goblins, not something they look back on with fear due to an injury. Simple precautions like reflective tape, pedestrian etiquette, well-fitted costumes, and candy inspection can make all the difference.

Whether you’re a seasoned parent with years of Halloween experience under your belt, or a new parent looking forward to their child’s first Halloween, creating magic is the key. Sprinkling in safety measures is paramount to making that magic.

If you have any questions about Halloween safety or need an appointment, give us a call. We are always glad to help.

Keep kids safe this Halloween with our 2025 safety guide, costumes, candy checks, street safety, and more!

10/28/2025

10/28/2025

HAPPY HALLOWEEN AND TRICK OR TREAT

10/28/2025

HAPPY HALLOWEEN WEEK...TRICK OR TREAT

Bring your children by and see all the crazy costumes that we will be wearing this week and grab some treats.

I hope you all have a dry, safe and happy holiday.

09/29/2025

Developmental milestones you want to look for...https://ilslearningcorner.com/2015-09-critical-developmental-milestones-you-wont-want-your-child-to-miss/

09/25/2025

National Women's Health and Fitness Day 2025: 7 simple lifestyle hacks for better physical and mental health.

Women are the pillar of society that keeps the world up and running. From sun-up to sundown, their active contribution in building homes, nurturing families, and simultaneously juggling workplaces not only sets a stellar example of the feminine power but also serves as the backbone of any functional and thriving community.

But more often than not, while taking care of their people – friends, family, and more – women tend to overlook their own well-being. That’s why every year, the last Wednesday of September marks a day when we ought to observe an occasion that’s solely dedicated to the well-being of women: National Women’s Health & Fitness Day. It’s not just another day on the calendar – it’s a reminder for women everywhere to pause, celebrate, reflect, and revive their commitment to well-being. Whether you’re juggling work, family, or personal goals, this day is your prompt to honour self-care – to move, to nourish, to rest, and to thrive for yourself.

But women’s health isn’t a one-time event – it’s a journey. And that’s why it’s not an overnight success story. What matters is how we take up healthy habits, keep at it, and acquire the agency of our own well-being – both body and mind. It’s not about perfect bodies or rigid routines, but about gentle, sustainable habits that nourish both body and mind.

In this carefully curated guide, we explore simple lifestyle tips and tricks that boost both physical and mental well-being and sustain us while we get going with hustling every single day. Remember, these tips aren’t the magic pills – rather, these are the hacks that fit effortlessly into your real life, providing you with the comfort and convenience of keeping up with them without breaking much sweat.

NATIONAL WOMEN’S HEALTH & FITNESS DAY On the last Wednesday in September, National Women’s Health & Fitness Day promotes the largest event for women's health of