Posted: December 5, 2019
There's nothing worse than a serious personal injury over the holidays. Certain characteristics of this season combine for added injury risk, including winter weather, increased traffic, holiday parties that may lead to DUI, and indoor heating and cooking. Read below for our lawyers' winter safety tips.
Holiday travel and car accidents. Once Christmas, Hanukkah and other winter holidays near, more people will be getting on the roads, traveling to visit family, shop and dine. This increased traffic volume combines with winter weather conditions in Nebraska, increasing car accident risk at times.
When driving in frigid temperatures:
- Ahead of time, check tire pressure and tire tread
- Keep blankets in your vehicle in case your car breaks down and you need to wait for help
- Get the windows properly heated and defrosted before leaving
- Never warm up a vehicle inside a garage, shed or other enclosed space
When driving in the snow:
- Drive only if necessary, and stay home if possible
- Slow down to account for reduced traction, reduced visibility and unpredictability of other drivers
- Increase your following distance
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly to prevent spinning the wheels and skidding
- Apply steady and firm pressure when braking
All the time:
- Be patient and expect traffic delays
- Don't text and drive or otherwise drive distracted
- Make sure your windshield wipers are still clearing your window effectively
- Keep the windshield washer fluid topped off
- Drive sober – get a ride if you are celebrating with alcoholic drinks
- Check the forecast – don't get surprised by incoming winter weather
Slip and fall prevention. Icy, snowy and wintry conditions can lead to a slip and fall that fractures bones, injures your head and brain, or causes other serious injuries. Here are a few prevention tips:
- Be aware that any area outside could be slippery – you may not be able to see the ice or frost
- Wear boots or shoes with good traction
- Consider traction devices for your shoes in the snowiest and iciest conditions
- Take your time because rushing can easily lead to a slip and fall
- Take smaller steps than normal
Kitchen and cooking safety. Cooking is a common cause of home fires. Around the holidays, families may be cooking more often, and may be distracted by visitors while something is cooking on the stove. To prevent kitchen fires:
- Don't leave food unattended that is boiling, broiling, grilling or frying
- Keep anything flammable away from the oven and stovetop (kitchen towels, paper towels, oven mitts, etc.)
- Don't try to cook or bake if you are very fatigued or intoxicated
- When frying or sautéing, heat the oil gradually and slowly
If a pan of oil catches on fire, turn off the burner and use the pan's lid to smother the flames. Get out of the house immediately if there is an out-of-control fire in your home. Make sure anyone else in the home is getting out as well. Call 9-1-1 once you're outside.
Wood-burning fireplace safety. There's nothing quite as cozy as using your fireplace during the winter. While fireplaces don't cause as many home fires as cooking, they can still be dangerous. They can cause home fires, carbon monoxide poisoning and physical injury (especially to children). Here are a few safety measures:
- Have the chimney checked annually by a fireplace professional
- Make sure the damper or flue is open before starting the fire
- Use dry, aged wood
- Use small pieces of wood for quicker, cleaner burning that produces less smoke
- Make sure your home is equipped with working carbon monoxide detectors
- Never leave the fire unattended
- Teach children about injury risk and to stay away from the fireplace
- Use the metal screen or glass windows to prevent sparks from flying outside the fireplace
- Only burn firewood or fire logs, never anything not intended for an indoor fireplace
Learn More About Personal Injury Compensation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a serious winter accident or other incident causing a personal injury in Omaha, Lincoln, Norfolk or the surrounding areas, please call Copple, Rockey, McKeever & Schlecht at 402-371-4300 to arrange a consultation.
