Common Holiday Accidents and Safety Tips

• December 19, 2024
• Safety, Holiday Accidents

For many, the year-end holidays are a fun and festive time. But getting ready for all the festivities can lead to holiday accidents and injuries if we are not careful. Many can be avoided with a little caution.

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Beware of Holiday-related accidents

Holiday Decorations:

“On average, there are about 160 Christmas decorating-related injuries each day during the holiday season, with nearly half of the incidents involving falls. In the 2023 holiday season (Nov. 1, 2022 – Jan.31, 2023), about 14,900 people were treated in hospital emergency departments due to holiday decorating-related injuries.”

Safety Tips:

• If you use a live Christmas tree, make sure it has plenty of water from when you put it out to when you take it down. For artificial trees, make sure it is “Fire Resistant”
• When using candles, use flameless when possible; otherwise, never leave them unattended or near flammable items.
• Never string together more than three sets of incandescent lights, and never overload electrical outlets. Always inspect lights and extension cords for damage before use.
• When using a ladder, be sure it is a stable, high-quality ladder, that someone is holding it steady, and that it is on a level surface. Follow OSHA’s Ladder Safety Do’s and Don’ts.
• When lifting, bend at the knees and keep your back straight. Don’t carry too much at once and use a trolley to move bulky items.
• Data from 2016 to 2018 found that, during the months of November and December, Christmas trees caused 100 fires, and candles caused 1,000 fires in the U.S.

Cooking:

Thanksgiving Day is the peak day for cooking fires, with an average of 1,400 fires occurring—more than three times the daily average. Cooking accidents range from burns from the oven and boiling pots to food poisoning and burns.

Safety tips:

• Food poisoning, allergic reactions, and alcohol poisoning increase during the holidays.
• Never leave cooking food unattended on the stove or in the oven.
• Always wear oven mitts when handling hot cookware and keep pot handles turned inward to prevent an accidental knock.
• Keep children and pets safely away from the kitchen while preparing the festivities
• Clean up spills immediately to prevent slip hazards
• Improperly storing or reheating leftovers can lead to foodborne illnesses, causing stomach cramps, vomiting, or worse.
• Store leftovers in the fridge within two hours of serving. Dispose of anything that has been sitting in the fridge for too long

Toys:

“CPSC and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized more than 1.5 million dangerous or illegal toys in fiscal year 2024. Of those, nearly 102,000 toy seizures were lead-related.”

In 2023, there were 10 deaths and an estimated 154,700 emergency room visits associated with toys for children 12 years and younger, according to the CPSC.

Safety tips:

• Follow age guidance and other safety information on toy packaging.
• If you get gifts such as bikes, be sure to get the related safety gear (i.e., helmets, for bikes and other riding toys.
• Keep small balls and toys with small parts away from children younger than age 3 and keep deflated balloons away from children younger than age 8.
• Once the gifts are open, immediately discard plastic wrappings or other packaging on toys before they become dangerous playthings.

Cords and Cables

The holidays mean more temporary cords and cables that can be dangerous. These are easily forgotten since a cord or cable may not be in that location normally and they may not be secured adequately.

Safety tips:

• Tape down cords along their entire length, or use a cord saver to secure the cord to the floor.
• Take the extra time to route cords in out-of-the-way and low-traffic areas.
• If a cord has to be run in a high-traffic area, make sure it remains visible.

Icy Patches

Icy patches on paths, driveways, and roads make winter a prime time for slips and falls, and a quick misstep on the icy ground can lead to injuries ranging from mild bruises to serious fractures.

• Invest in footwear with good grip, especially if you expect to be walking on snow or ice
• Apply salt or sand to icy surfaces around your home and driveway
• Take your time and walk carefully, especially on slick surfaces
• Use handrails when navigating stairs or icy steps

Automobile accidents.

More than 600 people die in the U.S. during the days surrounding Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, according to the National Safety Council. Drivers in holiday accidents are often alcohol-impaired, tired, or distracted.

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WHY HIRE NASH & FRANCISKATO?

These are a few of the mishaps and accidents that can occur around the holidays. The more you know, the more prepared you will be to avoid you or someone in your family suffering serious injury. When you are seriously injured, call Nash & Franciskato at (877) 284-6600. We have a successful track record of helping accident victims collect the compensation they deserve.

One of our experienced staff will speak with you personally and will provide you with a free, no-obligation review of your case.

START YOUR FREE CASE EVALUATION

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Other Resources:

• Related blog articles: Holiday Accidents and Safety.

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