Safety Tips For The Holidays

The holidays are supposed to merry and bright - a time filled with laughter, joy, friends, and family. Unfortunately for many families this year, it will also be a time with unforeseen medical expenses and unplanned trips to the emergency room.

The United States Consumer Protection Safety Commission has estimated that there are more than 15,000 injuries every year that involved decorating for the holidays. When you take into account the thousands of additional injuries that involve car accidents, defective products, house fires, and slick driveways, sidewalks, and roads, it's easy to see why some people consider the holidays to be the most dangerous time of year.


Staying Safe During The Holidays

Our personal injury attorneys in Camden County are here to help you keep you and your family safe this holiday season. Avoid common injuries and hazards by following these common-sense safety precautions.

Decorating
Though many of you have probably already decorated for the holidays, here are a few simple reminders for anyone who is putting up some last-minute decorations:
  • Keep candles at least ten inches away from flammable items.
  • Avoid standing on furniture to reach high places (use a safe stepladder instead).
  • Hang breakable ornaments or ornaments with sharp hooks high on your tree, out of reach of children and pets.
  • Check Christmas lights to ensure there are no broken or exposed wires.

Gift-Giving
Do you still have some last-minute Christmas shopping to attend to? As you are buying Christmas presents for your friends and family, be sure to keep the following things in mind:
  • Avoid giving presents with small parts (or other choking hazards) to children under 3 years of age.
  • Research online to avoid giving toys or other gifts that have been recalled.
  • Do not let children play with batteries unsupervised.

Cooking
In some households, the kitchen will get more use during the holiday season than any other time of the year. Whether you are in charge of Christmas dinner or breakfast the next morning, always follow these safety precautions:
  • Never leave pots on the stove unattended.
  • Make sure children and pets are a safe distance away before opening the oven.
  • Prevent kids from pulling hot items off the stove by using the back burners or, at the very least, turning handles away from the edge.

Turkey Fryers
Turkey fryers pose special hazards and are responsible for hundreds of injuries, accidents, and house fires every year. If you want fried turkey for Christmas dinner, your safest option may be to purchase one from a professional establishment. If you wish to prepare your own at home, be sure to closely adhere to the following safety tips:
  • Place the fryer on even, level ground so it will be less likely to tip over.
  • Place the turkey at least ten feet away from the house.
  • Only cook turkeys that have been thawed and dried.
  • Keep children and pets away from the fryer at all times.
  • Have a fire extinguisher on hand in case the oil ignites.
  • Never leave the fryer unattended.

Stay Safe This Holiday Season!

On behalf of everyone at our Lake of the Ozarks general practice law firm, we wish you and your family a very merry and safe holiday season. We hope that by following these (and other) safety tips, you will be able to avoid unnecessary risks and keep yourself and your family safe during your celebrations.

If the worst should happen and you do become injured, seeking medical attention should be your first priority. Once your immediate needs have been attended to, contact our personal injury lawyers in Camdenton MO if you believe your injuries were caused by someone else's negligence. We may be able to help you pursue a personal injury case.


Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising. When you need a knowledgeable attorney, we invite you to contact us to set up a consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available. We have access to interpreters.

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85 Court Circle N.W., P.O. Box 559
Camdenton, MO 65020   GET A MAP
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