The holidays can be a fun and exciting time, but there is also a significant risk of being injured during this season. Unfortunately, injuries may continue to affect you and your family long after the presents have been unwrapped. Our personal injury and accident attorneys in Atlanta can help you obtain your rightful compensation in these cases. Contact us online or call us at (833) 254-2923 for a free review of your case.
The holidays are an exciting time of year, full of family traditions and fun activities. However, when people rush around to prepare for holiday gatherings and parties, they often overlook essential safety precautions that can end up having devastating consequences. Even something as minor as removing the burnt-out lights from your outdoor shrubbery can cause burns, injuries to your fingers, or even result in eye injuries.
However, you should be aware of holiday season injuries that could put a severe damper on your holiday cheer this year. Based on this, while you’re out having fun, below are some types of holiday injuries and tips to help you keep you safe:
Fall from the ladder
It’s no surprise that one of the top holiday injuries involves a ladder. Much of this comes from trying to be too ambitious and putting up larger holiday decorations, especially when you’re doing it yourself. If you’re the type to put up Christmas lights on the outside of your home, you know that there are always some safety concerns that are involved.
After all, you have to use a ladder to get to the higher points of your house or apartment building. In addition, if you’re not using another person to help you hold the ladder steady, there’s the chance that it may fall over, injuring you severely.
Make sure your ladder is positioned correctly before climbing it – don’t rush it. If possible, try using an extension ladder instead of a regular one; those are more stable and easier to use. Make sure your ladder is free from damage. Check the rails and steps for any splinters or cracks that could cause your ladder to break or give way while you’re standing on it.
Lifting a Christmas Tree
Getting a Christmas tree up off the ground is no easy task. The average six-foot tree weighs about 35 pounds, and hefting it from the trunk to a stand can cause injuries to your back. In fact, lifting a tree is one of the most common causes of hernia. Ensure that you’re using the proper technique for each task, including keeping one hand on the tree as you lift it. A fir tree can tip over unexpectedly as it goes up, so be prepared to catch any such overbalance as soon as it starts.
When the tree is on the ground, lift with your legs, not your back. Bend at the knees and hips as if you’re squatting down. Never try to lift a tree alone. If you’ve chosen an especially large tree, ask a friend or family member to help you move it into your place or enlist the aid of a mechanical device like a lever or pulley system. This helps ensure that you’re not over-exerting yourself when hauling it into place.
Injuries from candles
Candles add a warm glow to the holidays, but they also add fire hazards. People often get burned while lighting candles with long matches or lighters. In addition, candles can tip over if they’re not placed on a stable surface.
When using candles indoors, it’s essential to keep them away from curtains, walls, and other decorations. An overturned candle can become a fire hazard within no time if it starts dripping down your Christmas tree or sets wrapping paper on fire. If you must use candles indoors, the best thing to do is buy a candle holder that has a broad base. If the holder has a metal rim around it, that’s even better because it will act as a shield against drips and spattering wax.
Another good idea is to place your candle on an end table or coffee table with no flammable decorations underneath it. Besides, keep candles out of reach from children and pets. Finally, don’t ever leave a candle burning unattended, and never light it if you’re going to be outside for an extended period.
Lacerations from opening gifts
Gifts are fun to receive, especially during the holidays. But sometimes, the gift that looks great ends up being quite the opposite, and you end up with injuries that could have been avoided.
When opening a wrapped box, it’s easy to get excited and start tearing right through the paper and tape. But it can be dangerous if you use something sharp like scissors or a knife to open it. It’s better to use a blunt object like a butter or utility knife.
If you don’t have one handy, unwrap the gift as carefully as possible with your hands. When opening a package, always cut away from you and away from anyone else. If you’re not sure how to open a box safely, find someone who can do it for you.
Car accidents during holidays
The holiday travel season is always a chaotic period, and the risks of being involved in a car accident are more significant than usual. There is more traffic on the roads and more distracted drivers, which increases your risk of being involved in a crash. There are a lot of road hazards during the holidays. In addition to icy roads, some pedestrians might not be paying attention or may be distracted by their holiday shopping.
Some causes of an auto accident during the holiday season include:
- Increased traffic
There’s no doubt that the holiday season brings extra traffic to roads and highways. Unfortunately, those extra cars increase the chances for collisions due to the higher density of vehicles. Not only that, you tend to drive more during the holidays — you’re visiting friends and family and running around doing all kinds of holiday-related errands. There’s also more traffic commuting long distances to work or school events. All this extra driving increases your chances of getting into an accident.
- Intoxicated driving
Drunk driving is prevalent during holiday festivities and can lead to tragic accidents. When many people get together and celebrate during the holidays, they drink more alcohol. As a result, alcohol-impaired driving increases during this time of year. If you’ve been drinking, it changes how you perceive speed, distance, and time. You may not realize how fast you’re going or how close you are to hitting another car or pedestrian until it’s too late.
The best way to stay safe is never to drink and drive. If you’re planning on having a few drinks, find a sober driver or have a designated driver pick you up. Avoid traveling at night when possible and always remember that even if it’s just a few blocks away, walking may be safer than driving.
- Fatigued driving
Between holiday parties and gift-giving, your schedule can be packed. With the hustle and bustle of the season, the stress of holiday activities can affect your daily responsibilities. For example, losing a few hours of sleep can be dangerous, leading to tiredness. Fatigue not only affects your reaction time and judgment but the quality of your decision-making as well. In addition, you’re more likely to miss obstacles like potholes or debris that could cause a flat tire or worse – you may not realize that the person in front of you has stopped; you may drive right upon them.
- Weather conditions
The winter season is one of the most festive times for family celebrations and holiday events. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that inclement weather may play a role in traffic accidents, which can make your drive a bit more stressful than usual. Anyone who has driven in snow knows how fast it can make roads slippery.
When it is snowing heavily, use your high beams instead of the low beams of your lights. The high beams will reflect the falling snow and give you better visibility. While driving in bad weather conditions, it is crucial to keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you and allow extra time for travel due to possible holiday traffic and weather delays.
Contact a skilled holiday injury attorney today
As the holiday lights flash and shine, families will gather to share food, entertainment, and possibly alcohol. When people are in this frame of mind, it can be easy to ignore injury risks until they become conspicuous. Holidays can be filled with fun and laughter, but they can also leave you in the hospital with an injury caused by someone else’s negligence.
If you or someone you love is injured in an accident during this festive time of year, reach out to an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer. Our firm is here to help you and ensure your rights are protected. Reach out to the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm today at (833) 254-2923 or contact us online for a free consultation. Our lawyers are ready to discuss your case.
