Schmidt, Sethi & Akmajian Blog

Seven Steps to Holiday Safety

Posted by Ted A. Schmidt | Dec 02, 2016 | 0 Comments

National studies show that more people are injured or die during the holidays and especially on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve than any other time of year. Thirty percent of all house fires and 38% of all fire deaths occur during this period.  http://www.esfi.org/resource/holiday-data-and-statistics-359 Fires related to dried out Christmas trees, frayed cords, and wires, carelessness around the stove and oven, fireplace and even heaters.

As you might expect there is an increase in the number of trip and fall injuries and deaths during the holidays as well. Extension cords and decorations placed where family members aren't used to seeing them and unstable ladders are the most common causes. Poisonings including carbon monoxide are also on the rise these months.

On top of this our kids and grand-kids are at greater risk of injury or death. 

So here are my friendly Holiday Alerts for you and your family:

  • Check your fire extinguisher for pressure and make sure all family members know where it is
  • Verify all smoke alarms are in place and working
  • Always have two people using a ladder. One going up and the other on the ground to steady
  • Keep areas where people walk clear of cords and decorations
  • Check water on tree daily (don't let pets/kids drink)
  • For Kids its mostly choking and strangulation injuries. Beware of choking on uninflated balloons, plastic film packaging of toys, button batteries, marbles, small balls and strangulation on string, cords and straps. https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/toys/
  • And, for the kids' sake, your entire family's sake, for your sake and for all of us don't drink and drive.

About the Author

Ted A. Schmidt

Ted's early career as a trial attorney began on the other side of the fence, in the offices of a major insurance defense firm. It was there that Ted acquired the experience, the skills and the special insight into defense strategy that have served him so well in the field of personal injury law. Notable among his successful verdicts was the landmark Sparks vs. Republic National Life Insurance Company case, a $4.5 million award to Ted's client. To this day, it is the defining case for insurance bad faith, and yet it is only one of several other multi-million dollar jury judgments won by Ted during his career. He is certified by the State Bar of Arizona as a specialist in "wrongful death and bodily injury litigation".

Comments

There are no comments for this post. Be the first and Add your Comment below.

Leave a Comment

Our team works together - for you!

Our award-winning lawyers are backed by a talented, caring team of legal professionals, paralegals, bilingual assistants, notaries, and others - all dedicated to you, your case, and the compensation you deserve.

No fees and no costs until we win.

As such we always have your case and your best interest in mind. When you win, we win too by providing the best legal care possible.

Thorough investigation and preparation.

We tirelessly and thoughtfully prepare every case we represent as though it was going to trial. This lets insurance companies know that we are a force to be reckoned with. As such, we settle successfully 98% of the time.