Christmas safety tips to prevent injuries
Whether you are driving to grandmother’s house or staying home in North Texas this week, the holidays can be a dangerous time. Even Santa can be in a crash. We wanted to give some Christmas safety tips to keep you and your family safe.
The only cases that we handle are car, truck, and other collisions so we are sadly more busy than usual at this joyous time of year. But we are very aware of other kinds of personal injuries and how quickly they happen.
While driving
The Christmas through New Year’s period is the busiest time to be on the road. AAA Texas estimates that nine million Texans will be on our highways. Traffic has returned to the normal levels.
To prevent injuries, here are 10 things to do:
- Have your vehicle inspected, especially the brakes and tires
- Charge your cell phone and bring a power cord
- Bring an emergency kit, especially if you are driving where it is cold
- Consult Google or Apple Maps before you leave and during the trip
- Do not drive if you are tired and change drivers frequently
- Stop periodically to eat,get caffeine, and stretch your legs
- Watch out for pedestrians when you in parking lots
- Make sure everyone wears their seat belts
- Don’t text or use your cell phone
- Drive super defensively
While in the house
Overloaded circuits and candles can cause house fires. These almost always happen in the early morning hours when everyone is asleep, so here are more Christmas safety tips:
- Don’t overload circuits and power strips
- Unplug extra lights and your tree at night and blow out candles when you are gone
- Test smoke detectors
- Pick up boxes and secure loose cords which can cause trips and falls
While near the tree
What is more fun that picking out and decorating a Christmas tree? But they can be dangerous so remember to
- Keep it watered
- Double check all lights and outlets and replace old ones
- Disconnect them at night and when you leave the house for an extended period
- Keep lamps or candles away from the tree
- Remove decorations with removable parts from small children and pets
- Keep presents and decorations away from the fireplace
While in the kitchen
What is the leading cause of house fires? You guessed it, cooking equipment. Better be safe than sorry so
- Do not leave the house while your meal is on the stove or in the oven
- Do not let small children be around them
While buying toys
Toy safety is not a big priority for the $30 billion toy industry. They can be dangero and cause 200,000 children to be injured each year.
It is hard to know which toys are safe. To prevent injuries, only buy them from known companies. The internet is full of cheap knock-offs that may be dangerous.
Here is a list of the most dangerous toys. It is from a non-profit safety organization called World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH) that has published this list for 50 years.
Many toys have been recalled but are still for sale in stores and online.
In case you were wondering, here is a list from the Consumer Product Safety Commission of all dangerous items that have been recalled.
We wish you a merry – and safe – Christmas
Berenson Injury Law hopes you and your family have the happiest of holidays.
If you are unfortunately injured while you are driving this week or at any time of the year, please contact our car accident law firm to schedule a free, no obligation consultation.