Personal Injury Safety Hazards to Avoid During the Holidays

For many people the holiday season is “the most wonderful time of the year”, as the song goes, Families are reunited, gifts are given, and most people are in good spirits. Despite the fun and joy of the season, there are actually additional safety hazards to be cautious of at this time of year. Here at Page & Eichenblatt, PA we are personal injury lawyers who have been working with the victims of these accidents for more than 25 years. Every year we see firsthand how many personal injury accidents occur during the holiday season. Let’s take a look at five common safety hazards

1) Car Accidents

It is tourist season in Orlando and even more cars are on the roads. Beware, the combination of the new roadway construction, entrance and exit changes and confused drivers. Let’s face it, car accidents are a hazard year-round. Thousands of people are injured each year in car accidents during the holiday season, some of those resulting in wrongful death. The last thing anyone wants is to suffer an injury around the holidays. Not only can medical bills be expensive and a financial burden on a time when many are already spending a fortune, but it is not fun to celebrate while suffering from an injury. We have helped fight for many clients who have been the victims of car accidents in Orlando. Many of the holiday season car accidents are simply due to there being so much traffic on the roads, while other times it is due to drunk driving after holiday parties, or even distracted driving when looking at decorations. Always be sober, present, and alert when driving. When in doubt, use alternatives like Uber or Lyft.

2) Back Injuries

Another common holiday personal injury is back injuries from lifting heavy gifts, or falling off of ladders when hanging decorations up in the yard or on the outside of the house. Use common sense and ask for help when trying to put up the tallest tree or Santa on the roof. Use a spotter, and do not leave power tools or sharp saws around for children to pick up.

3) Fire Hazards

Fires are a common safety hazard during the holidays. Christmas trees that are overwhelmed with lights and not watered properly, chaos in the kitchen that leads to burns or burning food, and even overloaded electrical circuits from too many lights and decorations. Always consider the fire hazards when decorating and cooking during the holiday season.

4) Dangerous Decorations

We have mentioned that some decorations could lead to injury from falling off of ladders, while others can be fire hazards. Additionally, some decorations can result in personal injury after falling. Every year falling decorations that are hung up precariously result in injury. Always trust your gut: if it doesn’t feel safe, it’s probably not. Also be cautious of decorations at other people’s homes and even in public.

5) Shopping Injuries

It is sad but true: people are injured while shopping every year. Parking lot accidents in large shopping areas are common when many shoppers crammed together. Be careful to be polite and not incite dangerous road rage incidents . Remember, you never know if the other person is carrying a weapon. Too many people acting frantically or carelessly in a small space is bound to lead to injuries, so be aware of your surroundings when you are shopping this holiday season. Our firm takes pride in our community and we want to fight for those who fall victim to personal injuries during the holiday season.

Contact Us

While we hope that you and your loved ones stay safe this year and enjoy a very merry holiday season, we are always here to help if you fall victim to one of these senseless personal injuries. Contact us today for a free and secure in-depth case evaluation, or give us a call at (407) 386-1900.