The holiday season is a time for more festivities and more fun with friends and family. But, according to several health and safety organizations, it can also mean a time for more injuries and accidents. From decorating to cooking to traveling, holiday activities can pose real dangers, especially if people are distracted by all the cheer.
Five of the most common holiday accidents and injuries are:
- Burn injuries: People looking to add true festivity and décor to their home around the holidays often place candles throughout it or light up the fireplace for the first time in 12 months. Without the proper precaution, open flames can catch nearby objects on fire and lead to conflagrations and burn injuries. Always be mindful of live flames and extinguish any before leaving your home or going to sleep. Also, be careful when cooking holiday roasts, especially if you don’t normally spend much time as a chef.
- Falls from high places: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) records over 10,000 fall injuries each year that are directly related to people trying to hang up holiday decorations. A tumble off a ladder or even a stepstool over tile flooring can be devastating and may result in a permanently disabling spinal cord injury. Only use ladders approved for the height you need to climb, and work with a spotter whenever possible.
- Choking: Many young children want to get action figures, dolls, and other toys with moveable parts for their holiday gifts. Without close supervision, a curious child may attempt to eat small bits of their toys and choke. Whenever you buy a present for your child, or accept one from a family friend, review the instructions and packages to ensure there are no dangerous choking hazards.
- Poisoning: Special winter plants are popular holiday decorations for within the home. What many people do not realize is that mistletoe, holly berries, poinsettias, and many breeds of Christmas tree can actually be poisonous if ingested by both humans and common household pets. Keep plants away from kids and pets, tell your children about their dangers, and put the poison control center’s number in your phone for emergencies.
- Car accidents: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sees data every year that indicates a rise in car accidents around the holidays. Contributing factors to the increase in collisions include an influx of drivers visiting family in other cities, intoxicated drivers leaving festive events, and inclement weather creating dangerous driving conditions.
Contact our Attorneys in Lancaster
James W. Vititoe is a dedicated accident attorney in Lancaster.
If you are hurt in an accident this holiday season, and you believe that someone else could be liable for what happened, you should consider seeking compensation through a claim or lawsuit. Contact Accident Attorneys and our Lancaster personal injury lawyers to learn about your rights and options from a trusted team with 75+ years of total legal experience.