Winter Holiday Season Accidents and Injuries
The Christmas and winter holiday season is a time to visit with loved ones and enjoy holiday cheer and decorations. What many don’t realize is that with the holidays comes an increase in personal injuries. These statistics show the risk of winter holiday season accidents and injuries.
If you or a loved one was injured in a winter holiday accident, contact a personal injury lawyer today. He or she will walk through the details of your accident and advise whether you have a case for personal injury.
Winter holiday season accidents and injuries
Fires
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that 30 percent of all home fires and 38 percent of home fire deaths occur during the three month span of December through February. The disproportionately high death rate may be due to the fact that winter fires are more severe than the average fire during the year across all loss measures, according to the United States Fire Administration (USFA). The peak months for home fires resulting in child casualties are December through February.
Winter holiday season fires are caused by various sources. According to the USFA, the risk of fires caused by cooking, heating and open flame all increase during the winter holiday season.
- Cooking equipment is the leading cause of house fires and related injuries; it is also the type of fire least likely to be reported. House fires started by cooking equipment peak on winter holidays that center around meals including Thanksgiving, Christmas and Christmas Eve.
Holiday decoration and Christmas tree fires are notably more dangerous and damaging than other types of winter fires. They result in twice as many personal injuries and five times as many fatalities per fire as the average winter holiday home fire.
- A study completed between the years 2004-2008 found that Christmas trees started an average of 260 home fires each of those years. These fires resulted in approximately 12 deaths, 24 injuries and $16.4 million in property damage each year.
- An additional 150 home fires per year were started by decorative and holiday lights. These fires resulted in approximately 8 deaths, 16 injuries, and $8.9 million in property damage each year.
- Candles were the cause of 45 percent of all home decoration fires
- December sees the highest rate of candle fires
- The top three days for candle fires are Christmas, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Day
Slip and Fall
Slip and fall accidents are common among those putting up holiday decorations; on average 5,800 people are treated for slip and fall injuries involving holiday decorating each year. More than half of these injuries were a result of a fall from a ladder or roof while trying to place holiday lights on a house.
An additional 4,000 people are injured and treated each year for injuries caused by extension cords. Fifty percent of extension cord injuries are a result of tripping over cords; common injuries include fractures, lacerations, contusions and sprains.
If you or a loved one is dealing with an accident or injury, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the justice and compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
