The most wonderful time of the year is around the corner and the amount of stress that it can induce is rising among millions of people. Finding the perfect gift for your loved ones, planning a delicious Christmas dinner, and coordinating which in-laws to visit are only just a few examples, amongst many, of how Christmas can be less joyous. One important aspect to consider, however, is to accident proof your life as much as possible during the holidays and give you the peace of mind in order to focus on spending this precious time with your loved ones. During the holidays, about 200 people make emergency room visits every day for injuries that could’ve been avoided if ideal practices were followed. Listed below are common ways that accidents may take place and how to resolve them.
Real Christmas Trees
Who doesn’t like the smell of a freshly cut Christmas tree gracing your living area? Without a doubt, the aroma of pine needles induces a sense of the holidays regardless of the time of year. Many homes go up in flames, however, over the course of the Christmas season due to over dry trees. Consider using a fake tree in place of your usual real version, as fake trees nowadays have the same look and feel as real ones. Small pine needle scented ‘ornaments’ can even be purchased to fill up the air with the enticing smell of a real tree. If you do in fact want to use a real Christmas tree, make sure that it is well hydrated, not in the direct path of a heating vent, and use LED bulbs instead of incandescent light bulbs which create an undesirable amount of heat.
Glass Ornaments
Glass ornaments can be beautiful to look at, but are also accidents waiting to happen. You’re hosting Christmas this year, and someone unknowingly knocks off a glass ornament and it breaks on the floor, meanwhile, you’re little one crawls over and puts it into his or her mouth causing severe bodily harm. Avoid costly trips to the ER this season by utilizing plastic or self made non-glass ornaments, and keep your little ones safefrom potential dangers.
Food Preparation
Cooking accidents are the number one cause of house fires. Preparing meals and leaving the unattended to can lead to disastrous consequences that will undoubtedly ruin your Christmas. Always attend food being prepared and try other methods that could prevent a damaging fire like using an outside grill or fryer.
Lights
Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a full display that’ll make your neighbors envious. Aside from fires, the majority of holiday related accidents occur from falling while decoration the house. If you’re hanging up lights along the gutters or on the roof, be sure to use a sturdy ladder and don’t be afraid to ask someone to assist you in the process. Even better, try hanging decorations on the ground level by the patio and nearby landscape with lights and garlands.
Slippery Surfaces
Everyone hopes for a white Christmas, but nobody hopes to slip and fall in the process. As beautiful as a fresh blanket of snow may be, it can lead to some significant injuries if not properly maintained. Help loved ones, especially the elderly, navigate to the inside of your home by ensuring that walkways are clear of snow and ice and use a good quality ice melt or rock salt to keep the surfaces dry to prevent any unnecessary accidents.