Christmas is a busy time for all of us. There’s plenty of dashing about, shopping, cooking, decorating, and the occasional festive tipple or two. But with all the activity and pressure to make Christmas special for everyone, comes stress and worry, which, accordingly leads to Christmas accidents. Every year, there are some common seasonal mishaps that can easily be avoided.
1. Burning Down the Christmas Tree
The fire brigade are called out to deal with house fires caused by Christmas trees on many occasions over the season. The cause is usually faulty lights or over loaded extension cables.
The Fire Service issues advice recommending that special fire safety precautions ought to be undertaken when keeping a live tree in the house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases.
Check all lights to make sure they are not damaged, and remember not to overload the tree with decorations – trees fall down as well as burning down.
2. Falling Downstairs
Rushing downstairs on Christmas morning to find out what Father Christmas has delivered, it’s important to make sure you don’t go head over heels in excitement.
From a broken leg to a broken neck, accidents at home increase during the Christmas season.
3. Kitchen Dramas
Christmas dinner is an important annual event. But it’s easy to lacerate your fingers when carving the turkey or burn your hands or arms when rushing to get the sprouts onto the table.
Take it slowly, keep children out of the kitchen and stay alert – which might mean going a little easy on the chef’s “special Christmas treat!” as well.
4. Hanging Decorations
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) claims that 1,000 of us a year hurt ourselves while hanging decorations. This ranges from falling off the step ladder to bringing the tree down on ourselves. The advice, is to always take care when on high and not to try to decorate when high either.
6. Electrical shocks
Testing lights before you hang them is important. Unless you are a qualified electrician, don’t try to repair wiring that is frayed or faulty. If it doesn’t work, throw it away or recycle it and buy some new ones. Better to be safe than to risk a Christmas fire disaster.
7. Falling over in icy conditions
Odds are being taken on a white Christmas this year, but with current temperatures dropping it’s important to take extra care in snow or ice. Make sure you wear sensible shoes if you’re rushing about, especially when you are out on the office party, or when you’ve been on the gluhwein at the Christmas Markets.
8. Go easy on the Booze
Starting with Buck’s Fizz and ending up twelve hours later on the Bailey’s is quite a heavy day of consumption. Alcohol makes you less aware of your surroundings and more prone to trips, slips and falls. Enjoy your day, by all means, but keep yourself on the steady if possible.
9. Don’t Leave Candles Unattended
According to figures, we are 50% more likely to die in a house fire over Christmas than at any other time of year. Candles give a lovely atmosphere at Christmas but they are a common cause of household fires. Any candles you light should be kept in safe situations, away from curtains, Christmas trees and decorations. Never leave them to burn right down, and make sure they are fully extinguished when you go to bed.
Take care this Christmas
Whatever you do this Christmas, make sure you and your family remain safe. By taking note of a few safety precautions, you can make sure your seasonal joy isn’t turned into a Christmas nightmare.
If you are involved in any accidents this Christmas, contact us at Harold Stock & Co Solicitors for impartial advice.
