Staying Safe This Holiday Season: Facts, Risks, and Tips
The holidays are a time for joy, celebration, and spending time with loved ones, but this season also comes with unique safety risks. From decorating mishaps and slip-and-fall accidents to cooking dangers and travel injuries, understanding the facts can help you enjoy a safer, happier holiday. At Sasooness Law Group, we care about your well-being in every season. Here’s what you need to know and how to protect yourself and your family.
Holiday Decorating Injuries Are More Common Than You Think
While putting up lights and decorations is a beloved tradition, it can also lead to unexpected injuries. During the holiday season, there are about 160 decorating-related injuries each day, and nearly half involve falls from ladders or rooftops. In fact, emergency departments treated approximately 14,900 people for holiday decorating injuries during the 2023 season (PR Newswire, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 5,800 people are treated each year for holiday decorating-related fall injuries, many of which are preventable.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5348a1.htm
Falls from ladders, roofs, chairs, or trees can result in fractures, head trauma, and other serious injuries.
Safety Tips:
✔ Use a stable ladder on firm ground
✔ Have someone hold the ladder for you
✔ Avoid overreaching or standing on unstable surfaces
Winter Weather and Slip-and-Fall Risks Are Real
Winter weather brings ice, snow, and wet conditions that create slippery surfaces for pedestrians and shoppers. Icy walkways, parking lots, and wet floors are major contributors to holiday slip-and-fall injuries, particularly in busy retail environments (BBN Times).
Source: https://www.bbntimes.com/society/how-the-holidays-increase-pedestrian-slip-fall-accidents
Even indoors, tracked-in moisture or sudden spills can turn floors into hazards. Slip-and-fall injuries may cause sprains, fractures, and long-term pain especially for older adults.
Safety Tips:
✔ Wear shoes with good traction
✔ Be cautious in crowded or wet areas
✔ Report hazards immediately to store staff
Holiday Cooking and Home Fires
Holiday meals are a highlight of the season but kitchens can be dangerous places. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States, with Thanksgiving Day seeing a notable spike due to busy kitchens and large meals.
Source: https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/fire/thanksgiving-fire-safety
Safety Tips:
✔ Never leave cooking food unattended
✔ Keep fire extinguishers accessible
✔ Use caution with deep-frying tools
Toy-Related and Other Holiday Injuries
The CPSC also reports that hundreds of thousands of children are treated in emergency departments each year for toy-related injuries, including choking hazards and injuries from unsafe parts.
Safety Tips:
✔ Always check age-appropriate labels
✔ Avoid small parts for young children
✔ Shop from verified and reputable sellers
Final Thoughts: Stay Safe and Enjoy the Season
The most memorable holidays are filled with joy not unexpected injuries. While traditions like decorating, cooking, and winter travel can increase certain risks, many holiday injuries are preventable with awareness and simple safety steps. At Sasooness Law Group, we’re here to help you stay informed and protected. If you or a loved one is injured due to someone else’s negligence whether from a slip-and-fall, traffic accident, or other holiday-related incident our team is ready to advocate for your rights.
Wishing you a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season!