The holidays are a time to relax and spend quality time with friends and family. Unfortunately, holidays are also a time when injuries can occur. Here, we want to specifically examine some more common types of injuries that occur during the holiday season, especially from Christmas and through New Year’s.
Falls While Decorating or Taking Decorations Down
The reality is that individuals are going to decorate for the holidays, but putting decorations up and taking them down leads to significant risks. This is a time when individuals use ladders or even furniture to get to a higher level to hang decorations. Individuals go on the roof to put up lights and other types of decorations. All of these activities increase the risks of a person falling. An older study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 5,800 individuals sustained fall-related injuries attributed to decorating for the holidays.
Car Accidents Due to Bad Weather
Holidays are a time when individuals regularly operate their vehicles. This can include taking trips around town to do some shopping as well as longer distance trips across the state or country. With more individuals on the roadway, this significantly increases the chance that an accident will occur.
Additionally, information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that there were 209 drunk driving-related fatalities across the country from the time frame ranging from Christmas to New Year’s in 2020. It is crucial for individuals to be vigilant and look out for reckless or drunk drivers around the holidays.
Holiday Fires
Holidays are a time when fire risks increase. This risk is due to a number of factors. This is a time of year when individuals tend to use more candles. Additionally, some individuals make use of space heaters which can lead to accidental fires if they tip over and do not have a safety switch.
Additionally, it is crucial for individuals to keep Christmas trees away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, or vents. Any person using decorative lights must also check to make sure there are no loose connections or frayed wires, and they should also look out for any cracked sockets. Any damaged lights or old extension cords should be thrown out.
Electrical Shock Injuries
Electrical shocks can occur as individuals decorate their homes. Individuals will use light stands and more extension cords than they typically would at other times of the year. Again, it is crucial to look out for any damaged or frayed wires or tears in the protective coating of any type of cord. Any broken lights should be replaced or thrown out.
Sports Injuries
The holiday time is when various members of the family want to play sports, including football, soccer, basketball, baseball, and more. These activities often take place around the home or at nearby fields, but the reality is that sports injuries are likely to occur. This is particularly true for individuals who have not engaged in much physical activity recently. Some of the most common sports injuries that occur around the holidays include whiplash, concussions, spinal cord trauma, severe traumatic brain injuries, lacerations, road rash, and more.
If you’ve been injured this holiday season, contact our Bucks County personal injury lawyers.