Have Yourself A Very Merry & Safe Christmas

It is finally December, which means that the countdown to Christmas is officially on! Christmas is an exciting and very busy time of the year, where we all look forward to having a well-deserved break to spend quality time with our family and friends.

However, amongst all of the excitement it is important to keep you and your loved ones safe during the festive period.

How to stay safe when Christmas shopping in the stores:

It is time to shop until you drop! When you are out shopping for Christmas presents for your loved ones, it can be extremely busy in the stores as people are in a rush to fill their Christmas stockings.

Here are some top tips:

• Make sure you wear suitable footwear such as trainers, converses or shoes with no heels to avoid tripping. There is a risk that the floors may be slippery in the stores if it has been raining or snowing outside and if you are in a mad rush you don’t want to accidentally slip over
• Be careful of shopping bags or other customer’s belongings on the floor as they are a tripping hazard
• Try and avoid rushing around the store – you may trip over something or bump into other customers

How to stay safe in the snow:

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! When you are out visiting Frosty the Snowman, it is important to be prepared so you don’t slip on the icy roads and pavements.

Here are some top tips:

• Always wear suitable clothing and footwear with a good grip to avoid slipping on the ice
• Wear brighter clothing when out in the snow so that people can see you in the adverse weather conditions
• Walk slower and more cautiously on the ice and snow to avoid slipping on the ice
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times

How to stay safe around the Christmas tree:

It is important to stay safe whilst rockin’ around the Christmas tree! According to statistics, approximately 350 people a year are injured by Christmas tree lights.

Here are some top tips:

• Putting up Christmas tree lights: Make sure when you are putting up Christmas tree lights on higher branches that you are not alone and that someone is holding the ladder for you; do not leave your Christmas tree lights on overnight as this is a potential fire hazard; and make sure that you do not leave wires on the floor as they are a major tripping hazard
• Wrapping presents: When unwrapping presents for children where the packaging is difficult to remove, make sure an adult opens the present with scissors and keep children out of reach of any scissors or sharp objects
• Choking hazards: Keep all potential hazards out of reach of children. Be careful of leaving hazards around the house, such as small batteries, tree decorations and parts of plastic toys
• Candles: Make sure that you don’t leave lit candles unattended for too long, as this is a huge fire hazard

How to stay safe whilst cooking your Christmas dinner:

All I want for Christmas is….Christmas pudding! When cooking for a large group of people at Christmas, it can be very stressful. It is always important to make sure that you are safe in the kitchen.

Here are some top tips:

• Make sure to wear oven gloves when taking anything hot out of the oven
• Be careful of sharp knives and guard against any distractions
• Wear safe clothing when by a hot stove
• If you have long hair, tie your hair back to keep it out of the way when you are cooking
• Wipe any spills on the floor immediately so that you or a loved one avoids slipping in the kitchen
• Always keep a First Aid kit nearby in the kitchen

How to stay safe on the roads at Christmas time:

Comin’ home for Christmas? Road Traffic accidents are much higher during December than any other month of the year. It increases by approximately 30% for women and 9% for men, as published by the National Accident Helpline.

Here are some top tips:

• Do not drink and drive!
• Guard against any distractions. Do not use your mobile phone whilst driving; do not take your eyes off the road; do not eat or drink whilst driving
• Plan well ahead for long journeys so you do not become too tired, i.e. if you are driving a long journey to visit relatives for Christmas

Here at Hodge Jones and Allen, we want to wish you and your loved ones a very merry and safe Christmas and a Happy New Year!

If you’ve been involved in an accident this festive period, and would like more information about making a claim, contact our helpful and experienced Personal Injury team on 0330 822 3451 for further guidance, or request a call back online.