Whether you are driving in New Mexico during the Thanksgiving holiday or during the holiday season, or you are planning to install decorations at home or to have family and friends visit for a holiday dinner, it is critical to understand that you could be facing serious personal injury risks associated with holiday accidents. From motor vehicle collisions in holiday traffic and wintry weather to falls or burn injuries at home, there are many different kinds of injury risks during the holiday season. The National Safety Council (NSC) provides safety tips for avoiding serious personal injuries during the holiday season, and we want to discuss those tips with you.
Safety While Driving in Your Car Can Avoid Personal Injuries
Car accidents during the holidays are especially common, and it is critical to take steps to avoid a motor vehicle collision. The NSC recommends the following:
- Sleep well the night before you drive;
- Have your vehicle serviced before you take a road trip;
- Check your tire pressure and tire tread, as well as fluids in your vehicle;
- Avoid drinking alcohol before you drive, given that drunk driving accidents tend to rise around the holidays;
- Avoid aggressive driving, including speeding or tailgating, even if you are running behind schedule; and
- Recognize the risks of inclement weather, and avoid driving if possible.
Avoiding Burn Injuries at Home or other type of Personal Injuries
Burn injuries can occur in holiday cooking, as a result of defective electric products and turkey fryers, in holiday lighting, and from the use of candles and fireplaces. To avoid burn injuries from home fires, you should avoid placing a Christmas tree within three feet of a fireplace, a radiator, or any other heat source. You should also take precautions while cooking, and keep cooking devices far from young children.
Dangerous Children’s Products
Every year, child safety advocates release lists of potentially dangerous toys and other children’s products that could result in significant child injuries. During the holiday season, other dangerous products such as cooking products and other household items can lead to serious personal injuries. If a defective product results in injuries, you could be eligible to file a product liability lawsuit.
What can you do to avoid a defective product injury during the holidays? It is important to sign up for product recall alerts, and to be aware of safety risks associated with certain products. You should also keep in mind that many defective products cause dozens—and sometimes thousands—of injuries and deaths before the product is ever recalled. Accordingly, you should also be aware that any news of potential defects could be important to consider even if a product has not been recalled.
Contact a New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or your child suffered a serious injury in a holiday accident, you could be eligible to file a claim for financial compensation. One of our experienced New Mexico personal injury attorneys can discuss your case with you today. If another party is liable for your injuries, we can speak with you about filing a personal injury lawsuit. Contact Slate Stern Law to learn more about the personal injury services we provide to clients in Santa Fe, NM.