Blog

Hidden Holiday Season Dangers

There’s no doubt about it – December is a magical time of year. Majestic evergreens wrapped in colorful garlands decorate malls and city centers, sparkling lights illuminate houses, trees, shrubs and lampposts, and life slows down a bit as festive parties replace late nights at the office. In the midst of all this merriment, some people relax the precautions they normally take at other times of the year and cause injuries to themselves or others. Let’s take a look at some of the most prevalent dangers at this time of year:

• Drunk driving. Many holiday parties involve drinking alcohol, increasing the risk for drunk driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in December 2020, impaired driving killed 937 people, and injured thousands more[1].

• Distracted driving. Checking your texts while driving, even for just a moment, can distract you enough to cause an accident. Always keep your eyes on the road and hands on the steering wheel when you are driving.

• Pedestrian accidents. With more pedestrians walking through parking lots and crossing streets to finish their holiday shopping, take extra care when driving in these areas. This is especially important at night, when visibility is lower.

• Defective toys. After wrapping and assembling presents, you hope your children will have hours of fun playing with them, but that is not always the outcome. In 2021, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that children age 15 and under experienced more than 152,000 toy-related injuries that required trips to the emergency room[2]. To help minimize the risk of a toy-related injury, always follow the manufacturer’s assembly instructions and safety guidelines for use.

• Faulty lights. One of the most beautiful parts of the season is the decorative lights. Unfortunately, poor wiring or placing them too close to flammable items can lead to fires and even electrocution.

• Food poisoning. The food at a holiday party must be kept at a safe temperature to prevent microbial growth, which leads to food poisoning. The contaminated food may taste completely fine when you eat it, but several hours to a few days later, the symptoms of food poisoning can emerge. Most cases of food poisoning resolve after a couple days, but in some cases, they can cause long-term health problems.

• Shopping injuries. Black Friday sales can be a mob scene. There could be debris or spills in the stores that cause you to slip or trip and fall. Alternatively, another shopper may be distracted and bump into you, knocking you over.

We hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday season this year. If you find yourself injured due to someone else’s negligence, a free legal consultation is only a phone call away.

From our family to yours, happy holidays.

ECanter Lawyers

When you are dealing with the chaos and pain of accidents and personal injuries, the last thing you need is technical, confusing legal language.  ECanter Lawyers breaks down the complexities and provides clear, informative answers so that you understand your legal options. 

For a quarter of a century, ECanter Lawyers has remained committed to honest, straightforward answers.  Named one of AVVO’s Clients’ Choice, ECanter Lawyers has helped clients receive multi-million-dollar verdicts, and millions of dollars in settlements.  ECanter Lawyers specializes in personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, premises and product liability, and healthcare law.

With offices conveniently located throughout South Florida and 24/7 services, ECanter Lawyers personal injury law firm offers you the personalized attention that you need in order to maximize your compensation. 

ECanter Lawyers

561-447-4500

Boca Raton | West Palm Beach | Coral Springs | Ft. Lauderdale | Miami 

---

[1] NHTSA. NHTSA Reminds Holiday Revelers to Drive Sober | NHTSA. Accessed November 8, 2023.

[2] CPSC. Holiday Safety | CPSC.gov. Accessed November 8, 2023.