The holiday season is upon us and this means a lot of traveling, shopping, decorating, festivities, and more. Holiday season is both exciting and overwhelming. It is also the time to be extra cautious about your safety and the safety of your loved ones. Follow these guidelines to stay safe this holiday season:
Travel Safely
Ice and snow on the road are a common occurrence this time of the year. So, if you are driving for the holidays, practice caution and make sure you are prepared. Here are some guidelines you should follow:
- Check your tires for pressure and wear and tear. Make sure they are properly inflated for winter driving. If necessary, replace them with specialty snow tires.
- Avoid warming up your vehicle in your garage as it could trap carbon monoxide and result in poisoning and suffocation.
- Before starting your vehicle, check and clear out the exhaust pipe.
- Avoid driving in low visibility.
- Be aware of your surroundings and avoid drinking and driving.
- Avoid using cruise control on a snowy or icy road.
- Keep an eye on pedestrians on the street. The roads are particularly very crowded during the holiday season.
Stay Safe When Shopping
If you visit the malls with your family and kids, make sure they don’t get lost among the holiday crowds. Make ICE Cards to include primary emergency contacts; allergies and medical conditions or ID bracelets for your children to wear, and advise them to stay close to you. Apart from this, take steps to increase security of your house while you are away. Take advantage of home automation, use video surveillance, or have someone look after your house while you are away.
Use Caution Around Fires
The risk of home fires is significantly increased during the holiday season. That’s because we tend to light candles and fireplaces to get into the festive spirit. So, practice caution and teach your kids that fire is not a toy. Make sure to extinguish all flames before you go to bed and also test your smoke alarms regularly.
Decoration Tips
Decorating your house is a major part of holiday season celebrations. And since virtually all holiday decorating involves batteries, candles, and plug-in lighting, you should remain diligent with safety and follow these guidelines:
- Plug in all cords properly and don’t leave lit candles unattended as it could lead to a dangerous accident.
- Live Christmas trees require extra attention and care. Make sure to keep yours watered to minimize the risk of it becoming a fire hazard.
- Always use a sturdy ladder when putting up decorations. Avoid using tables, chairs, or some other surfaces that are clearly not designed for standing.
Hilton & Somer, LLC: Personal Injury Attorneys located in Fairfax and licensed to practice in Virginia, Maryland and in the District of Columbia
At Hilton & Somer, LLC, we want you to have a safe holiday season. If you have been injured on the road or while out shopping due to the negligence of a third-party, know that you may be able to pursue compensation for your damages. At Hilton & Somer, we will offer the needed guidance and help in order to get you the maximum amount of compensation. Get started by calling 703-560-0700 for a free consultation or using our online contact form.
