The holiday season is here, and many of us are planning to get together with family, and enjoy food and other activities.
With more shopping, socializing, running around, and partying, the chances of injuries also increase during this time of the year. Here are some common injuries that occur around the holiday season and what you can do to prevent them.
Common holiday injuries
During the holiday season, injuries can occur because of various reasons. According to Rebound Orthopedics and Neurosurgery, a variety of injuries can be sustained when decorating for the holiday season. These injuries usually involve lacerations, back strains, and falls. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that during November and December of 2013, more than 15,000 decoration related injuries were reported.
The report further states that in the same year more than 75,543 luggage related injuries were sustained, and most of these injuries were shoulder and back injuries. In order to avoid these injuries, you should consider traveling light. Be careful when placing your bags in the overhead compartment in the aircraft.
Another common cause of holiday injuries is winter sports. These sports include snowboarding, skiing, sledding, snow tubing and snowmobiling. The CPSC also revealed that in 2010, there were 44,000 winter sports related injuries reported. In order to avoid these injuries, it is best to wear protective gear, avoid playing for extended periods of time, only participate in daylight, be familiar with the surroundings, and stay well hydrated.
Another surprisingly common type of injury that commonly occurs during the holiday seasons is the carving injury. According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), carving injuries are among the give most common injuries reported around the Thanksgiving Day. However, it is important to note that carving injuries can occur anytime, and regardless of what you are carving.
To prevent knife injuries, when you are cutting something, you should make sure that you do not cut towards yourself. Do not cut when it is dark and ensure that the cutting surface is not slippery or wet. Also, take ensure that the knife, chopping board or other cutting utensil is absolutely dry. Never allow young children to use knives and other sharp objects.
Another most common source of holiday injuries is falling off ladders. Due to this, it is important to be aware of ladder safety. Never climb a ladder that has damaged or broken hinges, and wear proper footwear. You should also ensure that the steps of the ladder are clean, and that the ladder is placed on a flat surface. The safest way to place the ladder is to ensure that it is placed one foot away from the wall for each 4 feet of ladder rise.
Hiring an Attorney for Your Personal Injury Case
If you have suffered an injury due to another person’s negligence, you should get in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney in your area. Personal injury attorneys generally offer free consultations and can help you get the compensation you are legally entitled to.
