More people are traveling this holiday season than have done so in the past two years. This means more vehicles on the road, more people celebrating (perhaps celebrating a bit too much), and a higher potential for accidents leading to injuries over the holidays. Our goal at Calandro Law is to help people stay safe and impart tips to avoid a personal injury this holiday season.

People are often distracted by thoughts of meeting up with family, what gifts to get, and how to fit their holiday to-do-list into a busy schedule as they travel this time of year. This can lead to accidents on the road or while out on the town. If you have been injured in an accident in Riverview this holiday season, it may be in your best interest to contact the personal injury attorneys at Calandro Law. Our expert lawyers specialize in handling various personal injury cases and can help you or a loved one recover compensation for your injuries.

Safe Driving Tips to Avoid a Personal Injury

The Christmas and New Year’s holidays are some of the busiest times of the year on the roads in the United States. Many people drive rather than fly over the holidays to visit friends and family who live farther away, especially with fears over the rapidly spreading Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. This increased volume on the road means a higher likelihood of car accidents, injuries, and, in some cases, even wrongful deaths occurring. Here are some helpful tips to avoid a personal injury while driving this holiday season:

• Be sure not to drive when you are tired. The holidays are a wonderful time to spend with family and friends, but all the holiday activities and shopping can exhaust us. Make sure to get plenty of rest before any long drives. If you start to feel tired while driving, pull over and rest or change drivers if traveling with another legal driver.
• Before leaving for a trip this holiday season, inspect your vehicle to ensure it is safe for the road. Ensure the coolant is topped off, the tires have an acceptable amount of tread, and the brakes function properly.
• Fill your gas tank before you reach the highway for your intended destination. Holiday traffic can mean unexpected delays.
• Avoid looking at your phone while you are driving. Texts and calls can wait until you are parked safely. If you use your phone for directions, try to have a passenger navigate for you.
• Parents traveling with kids should ensure all children have their seatbelts securely fastened and that any small children are correctly buckled into a car or booster seat.
• Many people may be driving from warmer climates to visit family in colder climates. Pack a safety kit in your vehicle with tools to help in inclement weather, such as icy roads. 
• You should also keep a first aid kit in your vehicle in case of any injuries while traveling.
• Stay alert during the holiday season, but be especially vigilant when driving in areas with a high concentration of pedestrians, such as in the city or shopping centers. Pedestrians may be very distracted or intoxicated during this season.
• People planning on attending holiday parties where alcohol will be served should plan to have a designated driver or arrange for an Uber, Lyft, or taxi to take them home.

Holidays Mean More Impaired Drivers On The Road

An unfortunate reality of the holiday season is that more impaired drivers are on the road during this time. A higher amount of intoxicated drivers leads to more motor vehicle accidents, including motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and pedestrian accidents that often cause serious injury and even death. It is important always to be cautious while driving during the holiday season, especially at night. Following tips to avoid a personal injury is crucial, and one key aspect is to look out for drivers who show signs of intoxication and report them to the police should you notice any. 

Signs that a driver may be operating a vehicle under the influence include:

• Swerving
• Driving at night without lights on
• Inconsistent speed
• Sporadic braking 
• Sudden turns without a blinker
• Slow response to traffic signals or blatant disregard of traffic signals

Christmas Trees Can Be An Unexpected Hazard

Christmas is just about here, meaning many families already have Christmas trees in their houses. Christmas trees are a wonderful tradition that brings beauty and pageantry inside the house during the holiday season. However, these lovely conifers can pose some risk to the safety of your family and home. 

Keep your Christmas tree well-watered while it is in the house. Trees that are not watered may dry out and catch fire much more easily. Be sure to thoroughly check any Christmas lights you plan on putting on the tree before doing so. Damaged lights may cause a spark that could ignite your tree and lead to serious fire damage.

Remember, the season’s joy can quickly turn to distress if proper precautions aren’t taken. By prioritizing safety and following these tips to avoid a personal injury, you can fully enjoy the beauty of your Christmas tree without compromising the well-being of your loved ones or your home.

Never Climb A Ladder Alone

Fortunately, there is very rarely snow or ice in Florida. This means people looking to decorate the outside of their house (or the inside) can set up ladders without the extra hazard of snowy or icy conditions. However, it would be best to always have someone with you when decorating using a ladder. 

Using a ladder to get on your roof creates a higher potential for a more severe fall should you slip from the top of the ladder or your roof. If there is nobody around to see your accident, you could be left in a life-threatening condition with no one to call for help.

Additionally, ladders are not always stable, especially older ladders, or when trying to place a ladder on uneven ground. Ask a friend or family member to spot you while using a ladder to decorate. They can help keep the ladder steady and help you avoid a trip to the emergency room.

Stay Safe While Cooking A Holiday Feast For The Family

The Holidays usually mean big meals for get-togethers with friends and family. This means more people cooking larger, more intricate meals than they typically would. With these more complex meals comes a higher risk of accidents in the kitchen, such as kitchen fires or knife cuts. Make sure you pay close attention while cooking this season, and try to minimize distractions in the kitchen.

Safety should be a top priority in holiday meal preparation. Here are some crucial tips to avoid a personal injury while cooking:

• Maintain your attention on the task at hand.
• Be slow and deliberate when cutting with kitchen knives.
• Stay mindful of any towels and oven mitts near the oven and stovetops.
• Make sure to wash your hands before and after handling food.
• Keep children away from hot burners and anything cooking on the stovetop.
• Do not use a turkey frier within 10 feet of your home. Place it on flat ground and use a thawed and dry turkey.
• Stay in the kitchen whenever you have something cooking on the stovetop

Remember, preventing kitchen accidents is key to a joyful holiday season. By implementing these safety measures, you’re not just avoiding personal injury – you’re ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable cooking experience for everyone involved.

Contact The Professionals At Calandro Law

If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury in Florida this holiday season, it’s crucial to seek expert legal help. At Calandro Law, we specialize in providing tips to avoid a personal injury, but we’re also here to support you if an accident does occur. Christmas and New Year’s should be times spent with family and loved ones, not worrying about a personal injury case. Our experienced legal team will take all the burden off your hands, leaving you to enjoy the company of those you love. We will fight to ensure you get the compensation you owe after an accident.

If you need a personal injury lawyer, schedule your free consultation at Calandro Law today! Call us at (813) 563-6463 or visit us in person at our office in Riverview. 

We wish you all a safe and happy Holiday from the Calandro Law family to yours this year!