The Most Common Accidents During the Holiday Season and Tips to Avoid Them

“The winter months bring loved ones together yet they also pose some daunting safety challenges” says attorney Richard Schibell.  Though you deserve to relax on the holidays, this is not the time to let your guard down while behind the wheel, decorating the house or even walking the dog.  Narrow your focus on safety during the holidays and you will have done your part to avoid a nasty, potentially life-changing accident.  Let’s take a look at the most common types of accidents during the holidays and the best strategies to avoid them.

Slips and Falls on Ice and Snow

Icy, snow-laden roads, sidewalks and driveways are quite hazardous in the winter months.  These slippery spaces are challenging for pedestrians as well as drivers.  A slip and fall merely takes a couple seconds yet it can cause a painful back injury, traumatic brain injury, fractures, etc.  Those who own property, be it a business or apartment complex, should know they have the potential to prove liable for injuries resulting from a slip and fall on the driveway, steps and sidewalk.  It is the property owner’s responsibility to take the steps necessary to remove snow and ice from the sidewalk, driveway, steps and other portions of the property people might walk across.  In fact, there are plenty of local ordinances that mandate property owners clear away walkways that are on or next to the property.

As soon as the snow is no longer falling, shovel it and apply an ice-melting product to improve traction.  Certain commercial grade products meant to de-ice can even be applied prior to storms.  Just be sure to stretch out prior to shoveling your driveway, sidewalks, steps or other space.  Do not overexert yourself in an attempt to clear snow.  You can always find someone younger in the neighborhood to clear away the snow from your driveway.

Even if you have someone else clean the snow from your property, you will still have to walk across sidewalks, parking lots, roads and other spaces when the conditions are harsh.  It will help to don boots designed for inclement conditions.  The best winter boots are made with a non-slip material comprised of grooves that latch right onto the walking surface.  Do not make the mistake of wearing boots or other footwear with elevated heals or soles lacking traction as they can easily slide along the pavement and cause a painful fall.  Do not attempt to take long strides when walking on ice or snow-laden surfaces.  Bend your knees, take smaller steps and focus on maintaining your balance.

Falls When Decorating for the Holidays

A surprising number of people fall while decorating the interior or exterior of the home.  Even climbing a couple steps on a small step-stool heightens the chances of an accident.  Do not attempt to maintain your balance on an old chair or one that swivels.  It is easy to lose your balance while attempting to hang a decoration, regardless of whether you are standing on a ladder, chair or step-stool.  Ideally, you will use a stepladder for optimal support as opposed to a comparably unreliable chair.

Clear out the area of tree skirts, extension cords and other objects before decorating.  Position the ladder on a level portion of the floor.  Ensure the area around the bottom and top of the ladder are free from all possible interference.  Extend the ladder a full foot away from the opposing wall for each four feet of height required.  Move the ladder a minimum of three feet above the roof’s edge.  Remain centered directly in between each of the rails.  Do not attempt to extend your reach.  Instead, move on down the ladder and take your time.

Auto Accidents in Inclement Weather

The roads are jam-packed during the holiday season.  It is no surprise the number of weather-related auto accidents spikes during these months.  If possible, stay inside when the weather worsens.  If you absolutely must drive during inclement weather, reduce your rate of speed and expand the distance between your front bumper and the rear bumper of the vehicle ahead.  This extra space provides you with that much more room to reduce your speed.  Ideally, you will have enough space between your vehicle and the one ahead to allow for a full five seconds of stopping time should an emergency arise.

Be aware of the fact that braking in bad weather has the potential to send your car skidding.  Try to slow your rate of speed by easing off the accelerator.  If the vehicle begins to skid, remain calm and do not press the brake or gas pedal.  Instead, steer in the desired direction.  Once the tires have regained traction, press the gas to resume control.

Fires

Fires are common during the holidays as Christmas trees, candles, lights and electronic ornaments adorn homes, businesses and other venues.  Lighted candles really can result in death, serious injury and upwards of tens of millions of dollars in property damage.  The safest Christmas trees are green, have bottoms that are sticky with resin and retain their needles with ease.  These are all signs the tree is likely to retain its moisture and not pose a fire hazard.  Be sure to place the tree far away from all sources of heat, be it a space heater, furnace, fireplace, etc.

Inspect strings of lights for bare, frayed or otherwise-compromised wires.  If you notice cracked, broken or loose sockets, toss the damaged portions and start anew to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones.  If you enjoy candles, do not put them on surfaces that undulate or areas pets/kids can reach.  Always extinguish candles prior to exiting the room.

Sports Accidents

Winter sports are a blast yet they have the potential to prove extremely painful.  From pickup football to downhill skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey and beyond, just about every type of winter sport poses considerable risk.  Even skating can lead to a harsh fall that breaks one or several bones.

If you plan on participating in any winter sport, stretch for at least five minutes prior to competing.  Take a close look at winter sports equipment that hasn’t been used in recent months to ensure it is safe and functional.  If it appears anyone is battling hypothermia or has signs of frostbite, reach out for medical assistance right away.

If you or someone you care about has suffered injuries in New Jersey this holiday season, be sure to contact Richard Schibell right away. While state law may seem straightforward, the specific facts and circumstances surrounding an injury are as unique as how it happened and can affect the ultimate monetary award that may be available.

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