The holiday season is one of the most anticipated times of the year because it’s the time of year to make memories with family and friends. This year the holiday season might look different considering the pandemic and the dangers of possibly contracting Covid-19. However, whether you host a small group of family or not, there are many holiday-related dangers that are common this time of year. We have some friendly reminders and tips to share so you can be safe and prepared no matter how you celebrate. There’s nothing worse than your holiday turning from merry to scary!
Household Safety
When cooking a delicious holiday meal for your family or guests, make sure you keep an eye on your stove and oven. Don’t forget to turn them off when you are finished cooking.
Keep decorations away from heat sources like fire places or heaters. There is so much than can go wrong when there is an open flame too close to your Christmas tree or some garland.
Be mindful about where you run your electrical cords. They should not run across a walk way or side walk where people can trip on them, especially if it is dark.
If you decide to chose a natural Christmas tree over a fake tree, make sure to water it. Not only will it look beautiful and healthy, when your tree is properly watered, this prevents the needles from falling off and a dry tree is especially flammable.
Make sure to turn off your decorations when you go to sleep or leave your home. Maybe investing in a timer for the lights is worth it so you do not fall asleep with the decorations on.
Electronic decorations should always be displayed in DRY areas. Never put lights on an aquarium.
Make sure you have properly working smoke alarms on every level of the house, even the basement and in bedrooms or near sleeping areas.
It gets especially cold around this time of year, make sure you turn off portable heaters or put them on a sleep timer. If they fall over or are too close to a piece of furniture, this could be a fire hazard.
Before you begin to decorate your home for the holiday, make sure you inspect your decorations and discard any that are old or damaged. This could be potentially dangerous if you do not test and inspect them first.
Keep batteries stored in a safe and secure package or place out of reach of children or pets.
Consider having your home and electrical outlets inspected by a professional. Electrical fires can be prevented with proper care.
Driving Safety
Apart from potential household dangers, another reason the holidays can be a dangerous time is due to the amount of drivers on the road as well as the weather conditions. Here are some more safety tips to consider this holiday season to protect yourself and others.
Know your route of travel. Whether you are having a safe gathering with family or you are simply on your way to pick up your Christmas tree, have your hands-free device and be mindful of the road.
If you pick up a tree, make sure it is properly secured on top of your vehicle while you drive. You do not want it to become loose on the road and cause an accident or obstruct your view.
Consider the weather and how it affects the road conditions this time of year, whether it is raining, hailing, snowing or foggy. Remember the road is most slippery and dangerous just as the rain begins.
Be weary of drunk drivers in the evenings during the holiday season. Although you may think it won’t be as dangerous as other years because of social distancing, you do not want to assume there won’t be intoxicated drivers out on the road.
As always be mindful of sleepy drivers when driving late. Do not drive tired. Driving sleepy can be just as fatal as driving intoxicated.
Stress can lead to accidents and just as the holidays can be a joyful time, they can also be a stressful time.
Do not delay car maintenance this time of year. Sure there is a lot going on, but you have a responsibility to keep up your vehicle and use safety precautions.
Final Note
It’s true, the holiday season can bring about so many emotions for people - both good and bad. For so many of us this year will be different than what we are use to. It is our responsibility to make sure that we are celebrating safely and celebrating smart. Considering these potential safety hazards that are within our capacity to manage will help us finish this year on a light note. Stay safe, be merry and happy holidays from all of us here at The Lions Injury Lawyers!