Tips for Safety this Holiday Season

Tips for Safety this Holiday Season

Tips for Safety this Holiday Season

Now that the holiday season is here, more and more people are traveling out of their homes to Christmas shop and support small businesses. The public also takes part in the beloved tradition of decorating for Christmas. While all of these activities come hand in hand with the holiday season, unfortunately, they can often lead to an increase in injury. This increase in injury not only stems from the increased amount of auto collisions that occur with more people on the road, but also from injuries stemming from decorating. For example, emergency rooms all across the United States see an increase in admissions for falls off ladders, stepping on broken glass ornaments, etc.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

“On average, there are about 200 decorating-related injuries each day during the holiday season, with about half of the incidents involving falls. And in the 2018 holiday season, about 17,500 people were treated in emergency rooms due to holiday decorating-related injuries.

In the 2019 holiday season, there were six deaths associated with holiday season decorations.

From 2015 to 2017, on average, there were about 100 Christmas tree fires and about 1,100 candle fires (in November and December), resulting in 20 deaths, 160 injuries and nearly $50 million in property damage each year.”

While there is a proven increase in injury and damage to individuals throughout the holiday season, there are steps you can take to prevent or limit injury or damage:

  1. Watch for electrical hazards
  2. Place burning candles away from flammable objects
  3. Blow out burning candles before leaving the room
  4. Follow proper ladder safety
  5. Do not drink and drive
  6. Wear your seatbelt
  7. Practice defensive driving
  8. Keep small children and animals away from small ornaments, etc.
  9. Make sure your Christmas tree is properly maintained
  10. Unplug lights and décor before you go to bed

We hope you find these tips helpful and that you have a safe and happy holiday!