The holidays are supposed to be a time filled with joy, wonder, and excitement. Unfortunately, life sometimes has other plans. Accidents happen in an instant, but their effects can be far-reaching and long-term. For more reasons than one, more accidents tend to happen around the holidays than any other time of year. Deputy & Mizell, LLC is here to explore some of the different causes of holiday-related accidents and how you can keep your family safe this holiday season.
No-Nonsense Holiday Safety Reminders
1. Blow Out Your Candles
Candles are a beautiful symbol of Christmastime, but they can pose a very real fire hazard if left unattended. Only light candles if you are going to remain in the room(s) where they are burning. Extinguish candles before going to a different part of the house, leaving your home, or going to sleep for the night.
2. Childproof Your Home
If you will have young children in your home during the holidays, it’s important to create a safe space for them to play and explore. Cover up electrical outlets, station baby gates at the top of the stairs, install baby locks on cabinets that hold hazardous substances, vacuum regularly to pick up Christmas ornament hooks and other dangerous items, and place small objects that may pose choking hazards out of reach.
3. Secure Your Christmas Tree
Christmas trees are undoubtedly the most popular Christmas decoration, but they can be dangerous if not properly secured. Make sure your tree is well anchored so that it cannot be easily knocked over. You’ll also want to make sure that Christmas ornaments are out of reach of small children. Finally, always remember to unplug your Christmas tree lights before leaving your home.
4. Take Your Time When Preparing Meals
A surprising number of house fires happen during the holidays. While candles and Christmas lights are responsible for a portion of these, many of them start in the kitchen. Exercise caution as you prepare Christmas dinner and other meals during the holidays. Grease fires and exploding turkey fryers typically pose the greatest risk – be extra cautious while frying turkey or cooking with hot oil.
5. Drive Carefully
Traffic increases significantly over the holidays as people travel to see friends and family. With so many more drivers on the road, the chances of roadway accidents goes up. Minimize distractions while behind the wheel, and never operate a vehicle while you are under the influence of alcohol.
6. Watch Out For Heights
Whether you are climbing a ladder to hang lights around your gutters, hanging lights on your rooftop to create a completely magical holiday scene, or reaching to place to the star at the top of the Christmas tree, be extremely careful when working with heights. Falls from significant heights can result in serious injury.
7. Be Alert For Slippery Surfaces
As you rush in and out of stores to finish your holiday shopping, be on the lookout for floors that may become slippery when wet. With so many shoppers flocking in and out of storefronts, certain areas – especially entrances – may become messy and slick.
Contact Deputy & Mizell If In Need Of Representation
While we certainly hope your holiday season is accident-free, our personal injury attorneys in Mid-Missouri will be here to defend your rights if need be. We can represent you if you are injured due to someone else’s negligence. We may also be able to offer assistance if your insurance company is refusing to pay you the damages you deserve. For more information about our personal injury services in Tuscumbia MO, schedule a free consultation by calling 1-877-532-2191.
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