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The 12 Common Personal Injuries of Christmas and How to Avoid Them

The 12 Common Personal Injuries of Christmas and How to Avoid Them

December 20, 2021/in , /by

It might be the most wonderful time of the year but even the most wonderous festive season can be littered with avoidable personal injuries. In fact, research carried out by the National Accident Helpline found that 1 in 4 people feel more stressed than usual during the Christmas period, rising to nearly a third among women. With the hustle and bustle of tidying your house, getting the decorations up, and panic buying and wrapping presents, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men say they are more likely to do things in a rush. And when things are done in a rush, accidents do tend to follow.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA), over 80,000 people a year require medical treatment for injuries such as falls, cuts, and burns over Christmas season. Let’s take a look at the most common personal injuries and we’ll give you our top tips on how you can avoid them.

  1. Road Traffic Accidents

It comes as no surprise that in December traffic accidents are much higher than any other month of the year. This could be down to the weather or just the sheer volume of traffic as people travel home for Christmas. Always make sure you pre-plan your route, leave yourself plenty of time for travel, and follow weather advice if there are any weather warnings in place.

 

  1. Trips and Falls

Did you know that 2.6 million people have fallen off a stool or ladder whilst hanging decorations? Tinsel, decorations, garlands, ladders…getting your home or workplace ready for the festive season can be dangerous. Always make sure that where you’re looking to hang your decorations is accessible and won’t require adverse risk, e.g., standing on a stool on top of a table, standing on an unfirm surface, or stretching unnecessarily. Make sure your decorations are visible, so they do not cause trip hazards and they are able to be taken down easily. All of these things can cause you to lose balance and fall.

 

  1. Electrical and Fire Safety

More than 1 in 40 people have suffered an electric shock due to poorly wired Christmas lights. Make sure that your Christmas lights and any electric decorations are bought under warranty and are packed away each year carefully – making sure the wires aren’t bent or at risk of breaking. Over half a million have had a fire in their home, so make sure if you have a real Christmas tree that requires watering, that your electrical socket and lights are out of the way.

  1. Kitchen Calamities

Nearly half of those preparing Christmas food have suffered an accident – from cuts when preparing vegetables, burns from hot fat, or smoke inhalation from burning turkeys – taking care in the kitchen will help you avoid injuries that land you in A&E on Christmas Day.

 

  1. Children Mishaps

Christmas is an exciting time for families with young children, but a lot of the traditions can in fact be dangerous for kids. Christmas crackers can include small toys which can be choking hazards and the kitchen can be a ‘no go’ area in terms of hot plates, dishes, pots and pans. Not only this, but children can cause injury inadvertently to adults, as through sheer excitement they can become trip hazards and can cause harm if not properly supervised. Make sure you have a designated area for children to occupy where they can play with their toys but still have adult supervision. For younger children, a stair gate across the kitchen doorway can keep them out of harm’s way while Christmas dinner is cooking.

 

  1. All Wrapped Up

Unboxing presents and getting them wrapped up requires tape, wrapping paper, and of course – scissors or a craft knife. Make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to get your gifts wrapped so that you’re not rushing, as this is when accidents can happen.

 

  1. Allergic Reactions

Everyone indulges a little more than they usually would over the Christmas period. Those with existing allergies know to take extra special care, especially with catered food such as at Christmas parties. However, it’s been recorded that thousands of people every year discover that they have underlying allergies they didn’t know about before Christmas when they experiment. Make sure you clearly check the ingredients before tucking into any new sweet treats.

  1. Festive Cheers

The festive season is marked with office parties, hot toddies, ‘adult’ hot chocolate, mulled wine, and other Christmas fare. A previous study found that over 600 million units or 265 million pints of pure alcohol were drunk by Brits each December. Make sure you know your limit and make preparations in advance for travel via train, taxi, or Uber in case you do overindulge. It’s also important to pace yourself, drink water, and not drink on an empty stomach.

 

  1. Back Injuries

Sprains and strains are some of the most common injuries which occur during the festivities. Be it from straining to put up decorations in awkward, hard to reach places, or from lifting heavy boxes. Make sure you don’t strain yourself by picking up too many boxes at once and take multiple trips to avoid injury. In turn, when packing and tidying away your decorations, make sure you spread the load and don’t put all your heavy decorations in one box.

 

  1. Christmas Trees

ROSPA estimates that every year, about 1,000 people are injured by their Christmas tree – usually whilst fixing decorations onto the higher branches. Make sure you can safely reach the top of your Christmas tree if you are fixing decorations e.g., via step ladder on a non-slip surface. Make sure that your tree is on a flat surface and the decorations are evenly distributed so that it is less likely to topple over.

 

  1. Hanging Decorations

It’s not just Christmas trees that make people feel festive and bright. Hanging decorations that adorn the outside of your home or business can make them stand out from the crowd. However, hanging decorations are often heavy or sharp and if they’re not secured properly, winter weather can cause them to fall, potentially resulting in horrible injuries. Make sure that your hanging decorations or ornaments are properly secured, especially if they hang above high traffic areas or public footpaths.

  1. Snow is Falling

Whilst many of us may be dreaming of a white Christmas, snow, ice, fog and sleet can increase the likelihood of road traffic accidents and personal injuries. Wearing appropriate clothing and footwear is essential and foreplaning your travel will help mitigate any unforeseen circumstances. The RAC also has a handy guide to help navigate driving in snow, you can check it out here.

Here at Bonnar Accident Law, we’d like to wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and we hope you have a safe and fun-filled festive season. Just remember, whether it’s Christmas or any other time of year, our personal injury team is always here and ready to help you.

If you have been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault and you would like more information, please get in touch with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors today.

The Personal Injury Horrors of Halloween How to Stay Safe

The Personal Injury Horrors of Halloween: How to Stay Safe

October 18, 2021/in /by

It’s that time of year again when the nights get darker, the air gets crisp, and the leaves turn a golden brown. Halloween is a night of spooks and scares filled with pumpkin carving, silly costumes and far too many sweets. However, with more people out and about over Halloween heading to fancy dress parties or out trick-or-treating, the various hazards could turn your night into a real-life horror movie.

According to data analysed by Churchill Car Insurance, the risk for young trick-or-treaters being hit by a car greatly increases during the Halloween period. October 31st sees a higher number of children aged 10 and under being hit by cars on Britain’s roads than at any other point during the four-week period around Halloween.

Tragically, road traffic incidents increase by 75% compared to the rest of the month, with 49 child pedestrians involved in road traffic accidents on Halloween in 2019. This is near twice the average number for the two weeks before and after Halloween (17th October to 14th November).

We would advise parents to be extra vigilant when letting their children go trick-or-treating and to ensure that they are always accompanied, especially when leaving the house after dark. It is not just children who are at risk on Halloween either, as there is an average of 295 accidents involving adults on this day every year, which is 12 per cent higher than the annual average.

Although it’s the scariest night of the year, it’s not all doom and gloom and there are steps you can take to keep yourself and your family safe this Halloween. Get in touch today if you would like more information and advice or keep reading to find out our top tips for staying safe during the spooky season.

What are some of the most common personal injury dangers around Halloween?

There’s not one specific cause for the increased risk of injury around Halloween, rather it’s a dangerous combination of the darker nights, the higher number of children out and about, and unfortunately, the increased likelihood of drink driving from adults attending parties.

Some of the most common personal injury dangers around Halloween season include:

  • Pedestrian related road accidents when trick-or-treating
  • Road crash accidents involving drunk drivers
  • Chemical burns from fake blood and/or novelty products
  • Slips, trips and falls from Halloween displays

 

Am I liable if a child gets injured whilst trick-or-treating on my property?

If you’re stocking up on sweets ahead of Halloween night for any visiting trick-or-treaters, just remember that as a homeowner or an occupier of a property, you owe a duty of care to any visitors and you may find yourself liable if any accidents are caused by the dangerous condition of your property. This duty of care is a legal requirement under The Occupier’s Liability (Scotland) Act 1960 to ensure that your property is reasonably safe.

Make sure the outside of your property is sufficiently well-lit, so any visiting trick-or-treaters can identify and avoid any potential hazards such as raised slabs that they could trip over, or soggy leaves that could cause someone to slip and fall. Make sure to keep your pathway and any steps clear from both decorations and debris. If there are any defects you’re concerned about, it could be worth fencing this area off or displaying a clear warning notice.

How can I stay safe this Halloween?

With Halloween just around the corner, we want to make you and your family enjoy this time and keep yourselves as safe as possible during this spooky period. To stay safe, keep our top tips below in mind:

Top Tips for Drivers

  • Drivers should enter and exit driveways slowly.
  • Never drive under when tired or under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
  • Take extra care when driving in and around residential areas and keep a close eye out for children walking on the roads.

Top Tips for Trick-or-Treating

  • Make sure kids are accompanied by a responsible adult, especially when it’s dark.
  • Plan your route in advance so you’re comfortable with which houses you’ll be visiting. It’s best to stick to your own neighbourhood.
  • Stay in well-lit areas if possible but if not, make sure children have a flashlight or reflective clothing to increase their visibility.
  • Advise children to always look both ways before crossing the road.

Top Tips for Costumes

  • Be sure to choose fire-resistant costumes and wigs.
  • Make sure all face paint for Halloween is non-toxic and child safe.
  • Make sure that your child’s costume doesn’t create a tripping hazard and prevent them from being able to walk without risk of injury.

Here at Bonnar Accident Law, we’d like to wish you and your loved ones a Happy Halloween and we hope you have a safe and fun-filled night.

If you have been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault and you would like more information, please get in touch with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors today.

Back to School: Road Safety

August 20, 2021/in /by

As children across Scotland get ready for their first day back at school, many parents will be breathing a sigh of relief that their kids will finally be back in the classroom after a tumultuous year, and they can hang up their ‘teacher’ hats after intense periods of homeschooling.

However, whilst we inch closer towards normality and away from the risks of COVID-19, there’s a considerable risk to children that remains ever-present – the risk of road traffic accidents.

The RAC Foundation recently reported that child fatalities from road traffic accidents actually increased in 2020 to 52 reported child casualties, an increase from 49 casualties in 2019. A cause for even more concern is that almost half of all accidents on UK roads take place during the school run. In a study conducted by Admiral, they found that 43% of road traffic accidents throughout the UK occur during 8am and 9am and 5pm and 6pm. The increase of traffic during peak rush hour times, resulting in more stressed drivers on the road, can be a deadly combination for children walking to school especially in urban locations.

Here at Bonnar Accident Law, we understand the worry that parents will have over their child’s safety. If your child has suffered an injury that wasn’t their fault, you could raise a personal injury claim on their behalf. We have significant experience handling these types of claims and will work tirelessly to obtain your child the highest compensation possible. If you have any questions, get in touch today, or keep reading for our top road safety tips to make the school run that much safer.

 

Walking to School Safety Tips

  • Walk to school with your children until you are confident that they can do so safely by themselves
  • Make sure your children are familiar with the safest route possible, and encourage them to walk with friends so they’re not alone
  • Encourage your children, especially during the darker nights in winter, to wear something bright or fluorescent when walking to or from school, to make sure drivers can see them
  • Advise your children to only use the pedestrian crossings to cross the road and to only walk on the pavements and footpaths
  • Stop Look and Listen – make sure road safety is a conversation with your children and teach them how to crossroads safety and what hazards they should look out for

 

Driving Road Safety Tips

  • Make sure your children are wearing seatbelts and are sat in the appropriate child seat if necessary
  • Keep an eye out for school zone signs and reduce your speed the minute you approach the area surrounding a school
  • Be sure to obey any lollipop men or women who may be helping children cross the road
  • Be hyper vigilant as children may cross the road at an inconvenient time or in an unexpected place, due to a lack of road awareness
  • Reduce your speed, no matter how much of a rush you might be in and be aware of both the speed limit and any speed bumps

 

If your child has been injured in an accident that wasn’t their fault and you would like more information, please get in touch with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors today.

Pedestrian Safety

January 29, 2021/in , /by
Pedestrian Safety

Pedestrian Safety

 

Pedestrians are amongst the most vulnerable people on UK roads. Whilst there are many different methods of transportation that we can take advantage of, at one point or another, everyone is a pedestrian. Unfortunately, without the protection of a vehicle, or any safety equipment, pedestrians are vulnerable to serious injury. This can range from minor cuts and bruises to broken bones, to serious life-changing injuries.

 

Tragically, in 2019, pedestrians accounted for 27% of all road traffic accident fatalities in the UK, which was the highest proportion of any group besides car occupants.

 

Behind the statistics, are real people who are struggling with the consequences of being in a pedestrian accident.

Here at Bonnar Accident Law, we understand that if you or a loved one has been involved in an accident as a pedestrian, you may be facing distressing and uncertain times and might be unsure of what to do next. This blog will guide you through your next steps, as well as our top tips for staying safe as a pedestrian.

 

What to Do If You’re in a Pedestrian Accident?

  • Seek Medical Attention

Of course, the priority is to ensure that you’re out of harm’s way and that the emergency services have been called. Even in the case of minor injuries, it’s important to see your GP after in case your condition worsens.

  • Report the Accident

All road traffic accidents involving injury must be reported to the police and you should obtain a police report/incident number.

  • Take Photographs

If possible, take pictures of the scene of the accident, the surrounding area, and your injuries.

  • Collect Information

Make sure to exchange details with the driver/s involved in the accident, as well as anyone who might have witnessed it.

Our Top Tips for Pedestrian Safety

  • Stop, look, listen.
  • Stay alert, don’t be distracted by electronic devices such as your phone that can take your attention off the road.
  • Choose a safe place to cross the road, such as at a pedestrian crossing or traffic lights.
  • Even at a pedestrian crossing, always pause before you step onto the road and check both directions to ensure there is no oncoming traffic.
  • Don’t assume a driver has seen you. Always try where possible to make eye contact before you cross.
  • If there is a footpath, use it. If not, stick to the right-hand side of the road facing oncoming traffic, and keep as close as possible to the side of the road.

 

If you have been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault and you would like more information, please feel free to get in touch with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors.