Imagine you’re on a ladder outside with Christmas decorations in hand. The excitement of having the brightest home in your neighborhood causes an adrenaline rush. You reach a little farther and climb a little higher. Then it happens.
You misjudge your step and fall off the ladder. You spend the holidays nursing a broken leg, arm, or worse. That is the reality of how quickly a holiday accident can happen. Each year, falling while putting up holiday decorations leads to 6,000 injuries. The following are some examples of holiday season accidents and how to avoid them.
Slips, Trips, and Falls While Holiday Decorating
Wrapping papers and toys scattered across the floor, icy walkways, ladders, and decorative lighting cords are all holiday slip, trip, and fall hazards. Here are some tips to avoid these risks:
- Follow ladder safety instructions. Get assistance when decorating and make sure the ladder is stable.
- Run lighting cords against baseboards.
- Safely clear walkways of snow and ice to create a safe walking path.
- Designate a spot for toys once they are unpackaged, and watch your step. About 2,000 people are treated each winter for these injuries.
These safety tips won’t just keep you and your family safe but also any guests you invite into your home, including Santa! Attorney Michael Timberlake spoke about the importance of welcoming Santa into your home on Law Call.
Winter Car Accidents
Celebratory moods can lead to overindulgence. This excess leads to recklessness and an increase in car accidents during the holidays.
The Alabama Department of Transportation (ADOT) urges drivers to follow these top three holiday safety tips:
- Drive sober. Drunk driving car crashes are almost four times more fatal.
- Wear a seatbelt. The ADOT reported in 2020 that in fatal crashes where seatbelts were available, 58% of riders were not using them.
- Avoid distractions like eating, reading, grooming, watching videos, and texting. Drivers who are texting are 23 times more likely to crash their motor vehicle.
Avoiding Fires: Burning Candles, Stringing Lights, and in the Kitchen
Data compiled by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) shows most house fires happen from midnight to 6:00 p.m. Those numbers are higher during the Christmas season. The NFPA states that 770 fires occur yearly due to incandescent Christmas lights.
Below are some holiday fire safety tips:
- Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Do not light candles if you’ve had alcoholic beverages.
- Keep Christmas lights and candles away from flammable sources. LED Christmas lights and flameless candles are safer options.
- Water your Christmas tree. The drier the tree, the greater the fire risk.
- Do not daisy-chain lights (plugging one light or extension cord into another). Daisy-chaining can overload electrical sockets, melt wiring, and cause a fire.
According to the NFPA, cooking is the number one cause of home fires. Over 100,000 people are treated yearly for scalding accidents. Prevent holiday kitchen fires by:
- Remaining in the kitchen while cooking
- Keeping a lid or fire retardant within reach
- Keeping children out of the cooking space
- Checking batteries and testing your smoke alarm
- Setting cooking timers
Under the Christmas Tree: Back Strain and Faulty Toys
Finding the perfect Christmas tree tops every list for holiday decorations, but beware. Lifting a heavy Christmas tree can throw a wrench into your holiday plans.
Heed the following tips when decorating:
- Get help with items that are heavy and awkward to manage.
- Use a step ladder to decorate areas higher than eye level.
- Stretching before decorating reduces your chance of pulling muscles.
- Remember to lift properly. Keep your back straight, bend at the knees, and lift with your legs.
The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. We love the parties, delicious meals, and other festivities. However, if you want to be of good cheer throughout the entire holiday season, safety should be the number one item on your wish list. Don’t let one of these accidents land you in the emergency room during the holiday season.
If you have been injured this holiday season due to the negligent actions of a Grinch, please contact the attorneys at the offices of Timberlake & League. We’ll meet with you for a free consultation. We wish you and your family a safe and merry holiday season.
