When most people think of the Holiday season, they aren’t thinking of the potential injuries and hazards that may exist. However, whether you are hosting or traveling to a large gathering of friends and family, there are some serious hazards you should look out for.
This article will provide a list of some of the most common injuries, and potential remedies to mitigate the risks to you, your family, and guests.
Keep Your Kitchen Clear and Safe
The kitchen is one of the most dangerous places in a home. A homeowner may be familiar with the locations of different hazards such as sharp knives, or hot stovetops; however, guests are a different story. A peaceful gathering can quickly turn into a trip to the ER if a guest accidentally causes themselves or someone else to get injured.
One of the first steps you can take to improve safety in your home is by limiting the amount of people in the kitchen. If you are responsible for cooking, the likelihood of injury is increased if you have guests milling around behind you. It creates the hazard for a trip and fall to occur, as well as the potential for burn injuries if you drop something hot on yourself or someone else. According to the CSPC, burns and scalds are the leading cause of injury around the Holidays.
Another suggestion is to keep hors d’oeuvres and drinks in another room outside of the kitchen, this will reduce traffic from hungry guests looking for a pre-dinner snack.
The same rule applies if you have small children who may wander into the kitchen. It may be a good idea to hire a babysitter or ask a family member to keep an eye on the kids.
Get the Right Equipment
If you are cooking a turkey in the traditional manner, make sure your oven mitts are sturdy enough. You’ll also want to make sure your oven is clean before cooking the turkey. Often people may leave burned scraps at the bottom of the oven and fail to clean it on a regular basis; with the amount of time your turkey is going to be cooking, these scraps are at risk of catching fire.
It’s also a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher close by. Holiday dinners are obviously much more complicated than your average dinner, and it’s easy to lose track of what’s cooking and for how long. If a mistake occurs and something catches fire, you’ll want that fire extinguisher nearby instead of tucked away in the basement or garage.
There are also some families who deep fry their turkeys. This is an efficient and tasty way to cook a turkey; however, the fire and burn risk is substantially higher. If you are going to cook the turkey with this method. Make sure you properly research how to do it and acquire the highest quality equipment and safety gear needed. Also be sure to provide the fryer a wide berth in the event the oil spills as this creates an extreme scalding risk.
Avoid Rough Sports
Watching football is a common tradition among many families for the Holiday season. It’s also common for a lot of families to play some football themselves. While it is a fun way to get moving after having a large meal, it is advisable to switch from tackle football to flag football. Some of the most common injuries around the holidays, according to the CSPC, come from playing football.
Contact Jordan Law
If you or a family member were injured around the holidays, contact Jordan Law for a consultation. Our experienced attorneys know these types of injuries often catch families by surprise, leaving little time and resources for exploring legal remedies and options. While you or your family member focuses on recovering from an injury, we can handle the insurance companies and litigation for you.