The Consumer Product Safety Commission is urging everyone to “Deck the Halls” safely this holiday season. An estimated 15,000 people will be injured this holiday season based on the number of people sent to emergency rooms across the nation last November and December. The worst of the injuries reported involved slip and falls from holiday decorating, stepping on ornaments, back injuries, ladder catastrophes and lacerations.
Hundreds of people fall off ladders every holiday season in their attempts to decorate. Ladders are supposed to be set up in a non-congested area with a 75 degree angle. Metal ladders should never be set up near electrical equipment. Sadly, ladder accidents often result in severe personal injuries or death. Last year, the CPSC reported that there were 20 injuries due to ladder accidents that resulted in a whopping $16 million in property damage.
Fires are another big problem during the holiday season. Fire departments across the country reported about 200 Christmas trees that were ignited from 2009 through 2011. These fires resulted in 70 deaths, 680 injuries and about $308 million in property damage, according to the CPSC. The number of fire-related incidents has been on the rise since 2009, resulting in about 12,000 more ER visits annually.
• Discard any light sets with bare wires, broken sockets or that are damaged.
• Blow out candles when no one is in the room.
• Make sure your ladder is in good condition before using it.
• Keep your Christmas tree away from any heat sources.
• Watch out for children around the Christmas tree, as they could become injured from ornaments or sharp objects on or around the tree.
• Keep wrapping paper out of the fireplace as it can ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
Any problems with consumer products that lead to accidents or injuries should always be reported to saferproducts.gov. This is how the government tracks injuries from defective products so that recalls can be issued when enough injuries are reported.
If you or someone you love is injured this holiday season by unsafe holiday decorations, a St. Petersburg Injury Attorney at Whittel & Melton can help you understand your legal rights and options. To schedule your free consultation, please contact us today online or call us at 727-823-0000.
From all of us at Whittel & Melton, have a safe holiday season and very happy New Year!