As the holiday season approaches, the excitement of decorating can easily overshadow the importance of safety. From festive lights to ornamental displays, the joy of creating a beautiful atmosphere can quickly turn into a safety hazard without the right precautions. By prioritizing safety, we can ensure that our homes remain a joyful place to celebrate, free from accidents and injuries. Taking simple yet effective steps to secure your home and your loved ones is essential during this festive time.
At Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP LLP we wish you a joyful and safe holiday season! While we all hope for a memorable celebration, we also understand that accidents can happen. If you or a loved one experiences an injury due to someone else’s negligence during the holidays, don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced Long Island personal injury attorneys. We are here to help you navigate your case and seek the compensation you deserve. Contact us today or visit our website to discuss your situation, and let us ensure your holiday memories are filled with joy, not worry.
Simple Tips for Safe Holiday Decorating During the Holiday Season
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that the Emergency Room attends to approximately 14,800 cases of injuries related to holiday decorations, including incidents resulting from both fires and falls. Decorating Safely for the Holidays is crucial, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness during the festive season. The CPSC plays a crucial role in monitoring and reporting these occurrences, shedding light on potential risks associated with popular holiday activities. As we engage in festive decorating, it’s essential to prioritize safety measures to prevent injuries and ensure a joyous and accident-free celebration. Using fire-resistant decorations can significantly minimize fire hazards during this peak season.
Preparing Your Home for the Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it’s also a time to ensure your home is safe and prepared for the festivities. Before decorating your home, take some time to prepare your space for the holiday season. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Inspect your home’s electrical system to ensure it can handle the increased demand for holiday lights and decorations.
- Check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working properly.
- Make sure you have a fire extinguisher on each level of your home and in the kitchen.
- Clear any clutter or tripping hazards from your home to prevent accidents.
- Consider hiring a professional to inspect and maintain your home’s electrical system, especially if you plan to use a lot of lights and decorations.
By taking these steps to prepare your home, you can enjoy a festive and worry-free holiday season with peace of mind.
Holiday Injuries
Holiday injuries can be quite diverse. The Website Quartz offers a great visual chart, showing the breakdown and distribution of injuries by type during the holiday season. Among the categories are stocking-related injuries, wrapping and unwrapping injuries, Christmas tree-related, decoration-related, and other injuries. Without a doubt, personal injuries associated with putting up decorations top the list as the most common by a landslide. Additionally, improper use of electrical lights can pose significant fire hazards, especially when placed near flammable materials or heat sources.
With so many injuries related to the holidays, consider a few simple suggestions and tips for decorating safely this holiday season. Ensure that electrical lights are used safely to prevent fire hazards and protect your home.
Keep Flames Away From Trees and Presents to Prevent Fire Hazard
Consider what you get when you put presents wrapped in paper beneath a Christmas tree – kindling. Electrical Safety Foundation International (EFSI) breaks down the fire statistics, showing that Christmas trees cause the majority of house fires around the holidays. EFSI explains that fires started due to Christmas trees and decorations actually cause “twice the injuries and five times more fatalities per fire” than typical winter-time residential house fires. In fact, Christmas tree fires alone cause about 260 house fires every year. So, keep candles and space heaters away from the tree. Instead, use electric lights to reduce fire risks.
Additionally, never leave a lit candle unattended near the Christmas tree.
Electrical Safety Considerations
Electrical safety is a top priority during the holiday season. With the increased use of lights, decorations, and other electrical devices, it’s essential to take precautions to prevent electrical shock, fires, and other hazards. Here are some electrical safety considerations to keep in mind:
- Avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many lights, decorations, or other devices.
- Use LED lights, which are energy-efficient and produce less heat than traditional incandescent bulbs.
- Keep electrical decorations away from heat sources, such as radiators, fireplaces, and candles.
- Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to protect against electrical shock.
- Never use damaged or frayed cords, and replace them immediately if you notice any damage.
By following these electrical safety tips, you can help ensure a safe and joyful holiday season without the risk of electrical hazards.
Buy Large Child-Safe Ornaments and Other Decorations
According to Quartz, children suffer the most injuries. This is because many ornaments are very small. Young children often mistake small ornaments for food or candy, which leads to choking. Some injuries are stranger, including sticking objects up their noses or stepping on broken glass ornaments. If you have small children, it is best to stick to plastic ornaments and make sure they are large enough that children cannot attempt to ingest them. Additionally, ensure other decorations are also safe and out of reach of children to prevent any potential hazards.
Get Help Putting Up Lights
By far the largest category of injuries, putting up decorations can be very dangerous. Many people wait too long to put up exterior lights, thus putting themselves in the unfortunate position of having to do it in icy conditions. Here are some general suggestions for safely installing Christmas lights:
- Get help. It is much safer to have a helping hand from a friend.
- Do it before snow and ice become a problem, if possible.
- Never drink when decorating.
- Use a proper extension ladder and rubberized grip support at the bottom.
- Hire a professional to install any decorations you are not comfortable with.
- Never exceed manufacturer recommendations for extension cords or power strips.
- Use indoor lights specifically designed for indoor use to avoid overheating and fire risks.
By taking these precautions and seeking help when needed, you can safely enjoy a beautifully decorated home without risking injury during the holiday season.
Outdoor Decorating Safety
Outdoor decorating can be a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday season, but it’s essential to take safety precautions to prevent accidents and injuries. Here are some outdoor decorating safety tips to keep in mind:
- Use outdoor lights and decorations that are specifically designed for outdoor use and can withstand the elements.
- Avoid using electrical decorations near water or in areas where they may be exposed to moisture.
- Keep outdoor decorations away from heat sources, such as fire pits, grills, and candles.
- Use ladder safety precautions, such as having a spotter and maintaining three points of contact, when hanging outdoor decorations.
- Consider hiring a professional to hang outdoor decorations, especially if you have a large or complex display.
By following these outdoor decorating safety tips, you can create a festive and beautiful display while keeping yourself and others safe throughout the holiday season.
Food and Electrical Safety
Another injury people may not think about is food poisoning. Leaving out meats, cheeses, and other food items can create a breeding ground for bacteria like Salmonella and Listeria. Many large functions involve prepared meats and platters that may sit open for snacking for hours, but some foods should not be left unrefrigerated. Keep this in mind when attending holiday parties.
Enjoy Alcohol Responsibly
The holiday season is a time for celebration, and many people enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail with friends and family. However, it’s essential to enjoy alcohol responsibly and take steps to prevent accidents and injuries. Here are some tips to help you enjoy alcohol responsibly:
- Drink in moderation, and never drink and drive.
- Designate a sober driver or plan for alternative transportation.
- Avoid drinking and decorating, as it can impair your judgment and increase the risk of accidents.
- Keep an eye on your guests and make sure they are drinking responsibly.
- Consider serving non-alcoholic beverages, such as sparkling cider or hot chocolate, to provide alternatives for guests who don’t drink.
By following these guidelines for responsible alcohol consumption, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday season for yourself and your loved ones while making lasting memories.
Final Safety Checks
Before the holiday season begins, take some time to do a final safety check of your home and decorations. Here are some things to check:
- Make sure all lights and decorations are working properly and are not damaged.
- Check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working properly.
- Make sure you have a fire extinguisher on each level of your home and in the kitchen.
- Check your electrical system to ensure it can handle the increased demand for holiday lights and decorations.
- Consider hiring a professional to inspect and maintain your home’s electrical system, especially if you plan to use a lot of lights and decorations.
By following these safety tips and taking the time to prepare your home for the holiday season, you can help ensure a safe and enjoyable celebration for you and your loved ones.
Enjoy Alcohol Responsibility
Probably the simplest suggestion is to use caution when consuming alcohol. Drinking is not just dangerous when people drive. It is also not wise to decorate a roof or do any other complicated and already dangerous task when you have been drinking. Alcohol slows your reaction time and impairs your judgment. Stay sober until the decorations are up, then indulge afterward.
Call our Long Island Personal Injury Attorneys
With decades of experience representing New Yorkers in personal injury cases, the Long Island accident attorneys at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP wish you a happy and safe holiday season. While some injuries are purely accidental, other times, people are injured because someone else was negligent and disregarded their safety. If you or a loved one are injured due to someone else’s careless or reckless behavior, call (516) 358-6900 or visit us online to discuss your case. You can also subscribe to our Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP YouTube Channel to learn more about personal injury law.
