Everyone must be proactive in knowing and warding off danger to prevent holiday disasters and hazards during the merriest season of sharing.
To some people, Christmas is the most festive time of the year. It is when relatives and friends get together to eat, laugh, and have fun together for some cheer, relaxation, and celebration. However, even during the happiest of times and even at the comforts of your home, mishaps and potential hazards can happen.
To give you an idea of the possible things you should be watching out for, here is a list of the hazards that can take place.
Fires, Burns, and Electric Shock Hazards
There’s a reason why the government allocates some of your tax money to fire prevention. Fire accidents, which could be caused by faulty sets of equipment, clutter, human error, or even arson, surely are property-wrecking and life-threatening. If you’re someone who is not prepared for it, it could be very devastating.
To keep yourself away from such a dire situation, here are the fire and electricity-related hazards you should note:
- Overheating of Power Sockets Due to Overusing and Overkill. When you plug too many appliances in one set of sockets or one extension cord, especially overnight, they might consume more watts than wires could handle. This might lead to overheating or sometimes arcing.
- Electrically-Induced Fire Due to Substandard Christmas Lights. Christmas lights are usually turned for a long period of time, especially when it’s put indoors so don’t use substandard ones. They have poor insulation and are often undersized.
- Accidental Fire Due to Excess Wrapping Materials Which are Often Flammable. Most materials we use to wrap our presents are usually made of materials that can be burned easily
- Fires Due to Unattended Candles. Candles cause a number of house fires every year. When left unguarded, it will burn nearby flammable.
- Electric Shocks Due to Fluid Spills. Extension wires or sockets should never be left lying around the house for it might create potential dangers when touched by water or any type of fluid.
- Burns from Cooking Accidents. People are often in a hurry when cooking for the most celebrated time of the year. Hot pans and pots should be watched out for.
Fractures, Cuts, and Punctures
Another type of accident that might happen doesn’t involve fire and electricity. These might not be as severe as the previous things we mentioned but are surely worth noting.
To have a safer holiday, these are the things you should be watching out for:
- Fall Due to Loss of Balance in Putting Up Decorations. Christmas lanterns, lights, and tree decorations are usually put in higher places, making people who arrange them prone to this danger.
- Injuries Due to Lack of Common Sense Brought by Booze or Over Excitement. What’s a celebration without booze or games, right? However, we should drink or play with moderation for accidents come when we are least aware of it.
- Being Tumbled Down by Unbalanced and Externally-Stricken Christmas Decorations. Kids or pets may roam around the house fascinated by those glittering fixtures. Keep an eye on them for they might be toppled down by collapsing things.
- Wounds from Cluttering Kitchen and Cooking Utensils. Don’t leave sharp knives and tools scattered around your kitchen or living room. They are very dangerous, especially when reached by toddlers.
- Slipping Due to Food Spills. Electrocution will be the least of your problems when it comes to food spills. Depending on the type of floor you have, even adults can trip or slip.
- Accidental Cuts and Stabs While Unwrapping Packages or Gifts. Don’t get too excited when you uncover the lovely gifts you will be given. Scissors or cutters might wound you while recklessly doing so.
- Stepping on Broken or Shattered Things. When you have glasses or plates that are made of porcelain or glass, remember to be careful not to step on them or touch them when they break.
Food & Fluid Poisoning
Your holiday food might kill you. That’s a fact. However, it’s not always because of the cholesterol content (although that could also be the cause) but because of the following food and drink hazards:
- Indigestion or Choking. When your family loves to chat or watch comedy films, avoid doing this while eating or drinking. You’ll never know when you need someone to do a Heimlich Maneuver in the family.
- Alcohol Poisoning. Watch your liquor, especially if you’re not used to consuming high amounts of it. It’s okay to have fun but don’t kill yourself while doing so.
- Accidentally Swallowing delicious-looking Decorations. Kids might mistake your Christmas tree decorations for something edible because of how they are similar to candies or cookies. Remind them such are not for they might eat those.
Financial Crisis
Oh, you should have expected the list to have this too. We are the practical team, remember? Although not a safety issue, these financial hazards can put your security at stake so you should also note the following:
- Overspending Due to Unplanned and Impulse Buying. Stores or online shops have a lot of promotions that might lure you to buy more than what you really need, especially if you don’t have a list of all of your holiday necessities. Plan ahead and shop wisely to avoid this.
- Emergency Expenses Due to Avoidable yet Unexpected Accidents. This is only secondary to the previous dangers we mentioned but this is also a problem that you should be prepared for.
Other Hazards
Alas! We’re almost at the end of our list, but the list isn’t over yet. The following are just minor hazards that often happen during this holiday season but should never be neglected.
- Glitters Gets in the Eyes. That adorable piece of decoration you have at home might not be as harmless as you think. If they have glitter on them that can be eroded by time, remember this hazard.
- Accidents from Playing with Peers. Beware of kids, teenagers, or adults running around the house while playing or teasing one another. They might hurt themselves in several ways possible.
If you think that this list is quite longer than you expected, well that’s because dangers can be found everywhere if we know where to find them. Accidents won’t tip you when they will come so you better be ready for them. Prevent them as much as possible to have a celebration away from trouble.
We wish you a safe and Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays!