5 Safety Tips to Prevent Common Holiday Injuries

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While the holidays are a great time to spend with family and enjoy the start of the winter season, they are not without risks of injuries. Unfortunately, the holiday season has several unique hazards that can lead to accidents and injuries for people. Here are five of the most common examples of accidents and injuries that tend to occur during the holidays, along with some tips you can follow to reduce your risk of being injured by these accidents. 

Falling Off Ladders

People who put up holiday decorations on gutters and roofs need to get up on ladders, putting them at risk of injuring themselves by falling off the ladder. Falls off ladders can lead to a wide range of injuries, including lacerations, broken bones, dislocated joints, spinal injuries, and head or traumatic brain injuries. 

Important tips to help stay safe when using ladders include:

• Always make sure you place your ladder on a flat, stable surface
• Never use a ladder too short for you to comfortably reach where you need to
• Wear footwear with non-skid soles
• Avoid carrying something in one or both hands while climbing the ladder
• Consider having an older teen or adult help hold the ladder stable as you climb up and down.

Slip and Falls

Slip and fall accidents are another common cause of injury during the holidays, as snow and ice are not unheard of in December in New Jersey. Slip and falls can also cause injuries such as fractures, ligament/tendon/muscle injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. 

You can help avoid being injuries in a slip and fall by:

• Clear snow and put down salt to melt ice or coarse sand to help with traction over slippery walkways
• Wear sturdy footwear with thick rubber treading
• If you are unsure about whether a sidewalk is safe to walk on due to snow and ice, consider instead walking on nearby turf, where you are likely to get better traction and will suffer less serious injuries if you do fall. 

Overexertion and Repetitive Stress Injuries

Decorating often involves lifting and carrying heavy objects and making repetitive motions like hanging up strings of lights. You should never attempt to lift a heavy holiday decoration or a holiday tree by yourself. In addition, you should always remember to use proper lifting techniques, which begins with lifting with the legs rather than with the back. If necessary, use a back brace and other lifting assistance equipment. 

Burns

Burns are another common injury people suffer during the holidays, whether during cooking, while lighting or tending to a fireplace or simply from careless handling of a candle. You can help avoid burn injuries by refraining from drinking while cooking or tending to a fire, and not wearing loose, dangling clothing that can ignite over an open flame. 

Lacerations

People also frequently suffer lacerations during the holidays from wrapping or opening presents, putting up decorations, or cooking for a holiday party or dinner. Cuts and puncture wounds can be prevented by always remembering to cut away from use and wearing anti-laceration/puncture gloves when working with knives or other sharp objects. 

Contact a Rochelle Park Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to someone else’s negligence in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at The Epstein Law Firm represent clients injured in Jersey City, Union City, Bayonne, Hoboken, and throughout New Jersey. Call (201) 380-7687 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 340 West Passaic St., Rochelle Park, NJ 07762.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.