10 Christmas Safety Tips
As you look forward to the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it is also unfortunate that friends and family members going in and out of homes and shopping areas will be exposed to the increased possibility of personal injury.
Did you know that according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission that as many as 15,000 people are admitted to emergency rooms for injuries during the holiday season?
Accidents can include falling from ladders, stepping on glass ornaments, kitchen mishaps and driving to and from holiday parties.
Simple Safety Tips
Follow these simple safety tips to enjoy a happy and safe holiday.
- Electrical Hazards: Don’t overuse extension cords. Upgrade to highly insulated extension cords. Avoid using too many adapters and plugging too many things into one outlet. Make sure all outdoor light strings are rated for weather. Consider finally upgrading to LED – as these are considerably safer than traditional holiday lights!
- Fire Hazards: Check your holiday lights wiring for defects and replace if needed. Make sure that your real Christmas tree is properly watered, and monitor all lit candles for safety.
- Small Decoration Hazards: Avoid creating choking hazards for small children. Keep all very small parts, tree hooks and other small decorative items out of the reach of young ones.
- Research Kid’s Toys: Make sure that toys are age appropriate – again small parts can be choking hazards. Don’t look for deals that sacrifice required safety standards.
- Opening Packages: Have a letter opener or safety scissors available for opening packages. Using a knife produces the potential of misplacing a sharp object near children and pets.
- Reduce Clutter: From sidewalk snow removal to removing wires, extra packages and other debris around an already chaotic house. Preventing slips and falls means being organized and keeping clutter to a minimum.
- Don’t Rush in the Kitchen: Ill-planned meals with many people in the kitchen can lead to burns, cuts and spills. Plan food prep in advance to avoid problems caused by hurrying.
- Prevent Contamination: Supervise the basics that you would at any other time of the year. Wash hands, clean utensils – especially after cutting raw meat – and refrigerate items that, if left at room temperature, could cause illness.
- Ladder Safety for Decorating: Basic OSHA guidelines say to make sure the ladder is appropriate for the height you are climbing. Face the ladder, use both hands, center your body weight, wear slip-proof footwear. Test your lights on the ground before heading up the ladder.
- Never Drink and Drive: Control consumption for your family and friends. Designate a driver for groups in advance, and as a last resort, hide keys to prevent an unwise choice.
Contrada & Associates Can Help
If you or a loved one have been a victim of an accident, don’t sign or say anything. Contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case. Attorney Charles V. Contrada will explain your legal options, and guide you through the process.
To speak to attorney Charles V. Contrada about a personal injury accident in Ohio or Michigan, call 419.841.4400. Charles has helped thousands of individuals with personal injury claims and will explain the legal options that are available to you. Call Contrada & Associates for comprehensive legal guidance that will help you to receive the most favorable outcome.