Personal injury news
Warning – Christmas could be dangerous to your health
The 12 days of Christmas could prove highly memorable this year – for all the wrong reasons. In all, more than 80,000 people could be paying a visit to their local A&E department in the run up to the big day – with an unfortunate 6,000 feeling very un-merry in hospital on the day itself.
According to RoSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) all manner of unforeseen events could prove disastrous, from kitchen mishaps to slipping on discarded wrapping paper.
And, as gorgeously festive as it looks, did you know that around 1,000 people a year end up in hospital thanks to their Christmas trees – and the dangers inherent with fairy lights are almost enough to have you leaving them in their box this year.
According to the society, other typical Christmas accidents include:
- Parents who end up stabbing themselves with scissors that they’ve attempted to use instead of a screwdriver to assemble a toy
- Any number of cuts and burns associated with preparing the big feast
- Children riding their new bikes a trifle over-excitedly, or tumbling off their longed-for rocking horse
- Relatives and guests, imbibing the old Christmas spirits with a touch too much enthusiasm, slipping down the stairs or missing their seat at the dinner table
- Trips over trailing wires from new electrical gadgets and toys
It’s almost enough to make you yell “Bah humbug” and forget the whole silly season, isn’t it? But things needn’t get that bad, Christmas is all about having fun, but being safety-aware is always sensible. We have represented many clients over the years in circumstances which, while beyond their own control, could have been avoided if others had exercised a little more responsibility.”
Our solicitors have pointed out that it is important for hosts over the Christmas holidays to be aware that they have a duty of care to visitors in their home. “Make sure that your guests are not likely to come to harm in your home, otherwise you could find yourself subject to a personal injury claim. Simple actions such as keeping the floors and stairs free from toys and other items that could be tripped over and making sure that decorations are safe and are not likely to come crashing down on heads.
“And always remember that children and kitchens just do not mix. Kitchens can be very dangerous places with hot fat and knives amongst the biggest threats and excited children are not likely to be paying much heed to safety.”
So, when making your final Christmas preparations, why not spend an extra half hour or so making sure that your home is as safe as it is welcoming. Just a little extra care can prevent most personal injury accidents from happening and your day will not be spoiled by a trip to casualty.
