Florida Trial Attorney

Holiday Safety Tips

The holidays are meant to be full of love, laughter, family, friends, and enjoyment. So, when accidents and injuries happen during the holiday season it can feel extra shocking and heartbreaking. While the pandemic continues to pose a risk to the global population, many of the other types of common injuries seen during this season still are present and should not be ignored. This article will discuss common safety concerns that arise during these seasons, also including Covid-19. It is our hope that by reading this blog, you can implement some safety measures in your home and travel plans, to avoid injury or property damage, and accidents of any kind. 

Fire Safety

Decorations and Christmas Trees

According to the National Fire Protection Association, Between 2015-2019, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. These fires caused an average of two deaths, 12 injuries, and $10 million in direct property damage annually. Christmas trees however are not the only fire risk this season. An estimated average of 790 home structure fires per year began with decorations, not including Christmas trees. 

Commonly, fires happen due to electrical and lighting issues. It is suggested to always read the instructions on any decorative lighting devices and the outlets and surge protectors they are connected to. Always make sure there are no frayed or broken wiring on your decorative lighting. When it comes to your Christmas tree, a helpful safety measure to take is to keep the tree watered. A moist tree will burn much slower than a dry tree. It is always helpful to remember to keep your tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, candles, heaters, etc. While that might not be a big concern in Florida, do not let your guard down. Fake trees can also minimize fire hazards, so that is another option to consider. 

Cooking Safety

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day account for many home fires that start in the kitchen. A great way to avoid these cooking-related fires is to never, under any circumstances, leave the kitchen when you are cooking. This is the most common way that fires in kitchens start. Fryers and frying foods tend to pose a higher risk than other means of cooking. Grease and fats from meats easily catch on fire that easily spread. Be sure to have a working fire extinguisher in the home, and know how to use it!

Holiday Shopping

Retail stores and malls see a huge surge in shoppers looking to snag the perfect gift for loved ones. Sadly, this also gives thieves more opportunities to target unsuspecting victims. When venturing out to the stores, always try to park in a well-lit area close to the entrance of the store you are visiting. Do not have gifts and purchases visible from outside the vehicle. This signals to thieves that your car could be an easy target for a break-in. Also, it is best to not carry large amounts of cash on you, and if you do, do not flash it where other people around you may see it. 

Holiday Travel Tips

While maintaining Covid-19 safety measures continues to be a priority for keeping healthy and safe this holiday season, such as wearing a mask, washing hands, and being current on vaccinations, we must not forget about other safety precautions that help keep our family safe when traveling. 

Driving

If your family is driving to a holiday destination, make sure that all children are using appropriate and properly fitting car seats. Re-read the car seat’s manual to assure that your child is still age and weight appropriate for their seat. It is also a great idea to have your car serviced and checked by a mechanic before heading out on the road. Accidents often happen due to mechanical issues that have not been addressed. Also, breaking down on the side of the road can be very dangerous, especially if you are with young children. Having an emergency kit handy can help, should an unexpected car problem present itself. 

You might want to study the routes and maps to your destination prior to getting in the car, as maps on your phone can be very distracting and can lead to accidents on the road. You can also give a family member a copy of your itinerary and routes, so someone can alert authorities should something go wrong. 

Air Travel

Covid-19 seems to be the biggest concern for air travelers this season. Always wear protective masks, use hand sanitizer, and keep up to date on your vaccinations. Be sure to help young children properly fit their masks around their face and nose. You may want to practice wearing masks for those who are 2 years and older before a flight. This will help get young kids adjusted to wearing masks for long stretches of time. Always make sure to research Covid-19 requirements for both your destination and the place you return to. These requirements are changing all the time. Taking out a travel health insurance policy might also be helpful if you are traveling internationally. 

Conclusion

The holiday season can be very time-consuming and stressful for a lot of people. That is why we stress the importance of taking a moment to assure that common hazards and risks be mitigated through educated safety measures. It takes just a few moments to implement many safety measures this season that can help reduce the risks of injury or home damage.  Feel free to share this article with friends and family, because we can never be too careful.

We hope you have a safe and healthy holiday season. We are here for you if you need our support for any injury-related issues. Call Robert Gluck at (877) Gluck-Law for a free case evaluation. You can also email him directly at [email protected].

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