What to Look Out for this New Year's Eve
With the new year just around the corner, many of us are looking forward to celebrating with friends and family. Unfortunately, several common accidents occur each New Year’s Eve often due to negligent or reckless behavior. We have outlined some of them below so you can be prepared and remain aware of helpful safety tips.
Fireworks Accidents
The first thing that comes to mind when we think of New Year’s celebrations is fireworks. While fireworks can add to the fun atmosphere of the night, they can also cause serious burns and other injuries if not handled properly. People can sustain injuries if they are lighting the fireworks or standing near the blast site.
If you plan on shooting off fireworks yourself make sure you read all safety instructions carefully and keep children away from them at all times. It's also important to check your local laws as many municipalities have restrictions on when and where fireworks may be used.
You should also be mindful of how close your neighbors or others are if they are shooting fireworks. If they are too close to your home or building, the fireworks can cause a fire to break out on the roof of your home, which can also lead to serious fire-related injuries.
Other Fire-Related Accidents
New Year’s fires are not only caused by fireworks but can also be caused by issues or accidents with electric decorations, candles, or cooking/kitchen incidents. From a kitchen towel catching fire to old wiring in string lights igniting to knocking over a candle, you and your guests can suffer burn injuries in any number of incidents. For your safety, you should adhere to fire safety tips, such as:
- Use non-flammable or flame-retardant decorations.
- Check holiday lights and other electronics for frayed wires or signs of wear and tear.
- Do not connect more than three strands of lights together.
- Do not leave lit candles unattended (battery-powered candles can also be a safer alternative).
- Make sure your smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detectors are working and have fresh batteries.
- Keep flammable materials away from the stove or burning candles.
- Do not overfill your pans with oil (if you are cooking).
Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common types of personal injury cases we see, especially around the holidays. Because of the increased foot traffic and potential hazards in homes and businesses, you (and your holiday guests) may suffer injuries.
To reduce your risk of an accident, make sure that any areas in which guests may walk are well-lit and free from any tripping hazards (like cords or furniture placed in walkways). It's also important for hosts to provide non-slip mats near doorways leading outside, so guests don't slip on wet surfaces caused by rain, ice, or snow outside.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Another common hazard during the holidays is drunk driving accidents. Every year countless lives are lost due to drunk drivers who engage in reckless driving practices.
Remember, if you plan on drinking alcohol during your celebrations, to designate a sober driver or take public transportation home. If you are hosting a gathering, don’t be afraid to take someone’s keys or insist that they get a ride home with someone sober.
Negligence-Based Car Accidents
Drunk driving accidents are not the only type of accident that can take place over New Year’s weekend. Accidents can also occur because of drowsiness, unsafe lane changes, tailgating, inclement weather, negligent roadway conditions, or other factors.
For your safety, it can be best to avoid driving as much as possible over the holiday weekend, especially during the nighttime. If you must drive, e remain vigilant and alert at all times; look out for other drivers who may be under the influence and yield when necessary.
Sports or Celebration-Related Injuries
In addition to fires and car accidents, accidental injuries from celebrations can also occur on New Year’s Eve if proper safety precautions are not taken. For example, it is important that everyone wears protective gear such as helmets when engaging in activities such as sledding or skiing down mountainside slopes where dangerous inclines exist throughout the terrain.
Furthermore, it is important to exercise caution when handling sharp objects such as knives or scissors when opening bottles of champagne or cutting up food items; these can easily lead to lacerations should they be handled improperly by those participating in the celebration activities indoors or outdoors alike.
Get Legal Help
Even if you are cautious, you cannot control the actions of others and there is always a certain level of risk of injury during the holidays. If you have been injured due to someone else's negligence this holiday season, do not hesitate to contact our experienced team of personal injury attorneys. Backed by over three decades of collective experience, Eliot Reiner, APLC is dedicated to helping victims of negligence pursue compensation.
Our firm handles different types of personal injury matters, including:
- Bike accidents
- Premises liability accidents (i.e. negligent security, slips and falls, etc.)
- Boat accidents
- Car accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Catastrophic injuries
- Product liability
- Motorcycle accidents
- Commercial vehicle accidents
Learn more about our personal injury services by scheduling an initial consultation. Call (916) 778-3228 today.