Safety Tips to Avoid Accidents During the Holiday Season

We have officially entered the holiday season and at Deputy and Mizell, we are excited as we look forward to making some great memories with friends and family. But as personal injury attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks, we are aware of how the holiday season also brings a higher number of accidents and personal injuries along with it. With that in mind, we wanted to share some tips regarding common accidents that happen around the holidays and how they can be avoided. If you or someone you love has been the victim of a personal injury accident at the Lake of the Ozarks, we encourage you to call our Mid-Missouri Law Office today at 417-532-2191 for your free consultation. To learn about 5 common holiday hazards to avoid, keep reading this blog! Candles The warm flicker of a fire creates a cozy atmosphere, for sure. But the mix of open flames and flammable clothing or décor can quickly become dangerous. It is important to never leave a candle unattended and to place them well away from curtains, decorations, traffic ways, etc. A better option is to go with a battery-powered flameless candle. If you like the candles for the scent, try adding an oil diffuser for a safer option. Electrical Fires There is a limit on how many lights you can plug into your home’s outlets before it becomes too much. Using extension cords adds to the risk as well. Making sure that all your added Christmas lights are plugged into a surge protector is helpful. But ultimately, if you want more lights than your home’s electrical system can handle, call a qualified electrician to add outlets sufficient for your demand. Or scale back and keep it safe. Don’t be a Griswold! Slip and Fall Unfortunately, slip and falls can be caused by a multitude of reasons. We seem to have more trip hazards this time of year … from packages under the tree to extra cords and decorations … the obstacles can be everywhere. Scan your house with that in mind and remove anything that could cause someone to trip and fall in your home. Also, keep in mind we have the potential for more inclement weather along with the ice and snow that it brings. Keep your walkways cleared, have ice melt on hand, use it generously when needed, slow down, and use a handrail when one is available. Dangerous Decorating If you plan to do any outdoor decorating, it is a good idea to think before you climb. Too many people get hurt this time of year from falling off a ladder while hanging decorations. They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure … take the time to ensure the ladder is stable if you are not placing it on even concrete. Have a spotter, and don’t stand on the very top level. Road Hazards Along with the bad weather comes slicker roads. In addition, people tend to be in more of a hurry or have their minds on things other than their driving. So, driving defensively and paying extra attention is even more necessary. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you are going and don’t allow any distractions to divert your attention while you are behind the wheel. Stay Safe and Enjoy the Holidays! At Deputy and Mizell, we want everyone to have a safe, happy, accident-free holiday season. That is why we wanted to bring to mind these simple reminders to help you reduce your risk for accidents this time of year. It is the responsibility of a property owner to ensure a hazard-free environment for his/her visitors. Failing to do so can put innocent people at risk for serious injury. If you have suffered a serious injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may have a claim for damages from the property owner, management, tenants, and others. To know your rights and find out how we can help, call the law firm of Deputy and Mizell. Our personal injury attorneys in Lebanon and Camdenton, MO have the expertise to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you need and deserve. To keep up to date on the latest tips and information from our law office, don’t forget to follow us on social media using the links below.