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It’s the most wonderful time of the year; at least that’s how the song goes. There are parties to go to, decorations to put up and presents to open. As wonderful as all this is, the holidays have their fair share of injuries associated with them. If you are ever hurt by something during this time of year and are wondering if you can be reimbursed for any medical expenses or lost wages, you will want to think about the actions that caused the injury; are you responsible or someone else?
One of the scariest things that can happen at Christmas time is a Christmas tree fire. It makes sense that putting hot lights on a dead tree is a combination that could cause a fire. Are the bulbs too hot? Is the electrical cord faulty? Before you look for blame elsewhere, make sure you didn’t accidentally cause the fire. Perhaps you used the wrong kind of bulbs on the tree. Maybe your dog ate through the wires. Or, the most common cause is forgetting to keep the tree watered so it doesn’t become kindling dry.
Let’s not forget injuries to children from those toys. Little pieces have a way of finding their way into little mouths. Toys with sharp edges can cause injuries. But before you start blaming the toy manufacturer, check out the packaging. Did you follow the age guidelines? Your four year old may love everything Star Wars, but those little Lego pieces from that Lego box clearly marked “8-12 years” was marked that way for a reason. And that craft tool set with an awl, scissors, knitting needles, various punches and a wood burner may not be appropriate for your seven year old. Pay attention to the age guidelines before buying something that can potentially cause an injury.
If you are having a party at your house, make sure you do everything possible to keep your guests safe. Make sure your fireplace is safe while you’re roasting those chestnuts over the open fire. Don’t serve your hot cocoa so hot that you are causing burns to your guest’s mouths. Make sure all your dining room chairs are stable enough to hold the heaviest of your guests; you wouldn’t want your Santa ending up on the floor with Cousin Alice on top of him.
Paying attention and following common sense are the two biggest things you can do to make sure you don’t become a victim of holiday injuries.