How to Avoid Shopping Injuries in Florida

The holidays. What does the old snowman say? The hap-happiest time of the year? Unfortunately, the holidays can also be dangerous. If you’re injured during the holidays by another person’s negligence, let the Florida injury attorneys at Searcy Denney help. The time limit by which you must file your claims, known as the statute of limitations, won’t wait until after the holidays. We’ll take care of the details and allow you to have a happy holiday of your own.

Below are a few holiday safety tips straight from the government. Please read and take heed, as we want you and yours to continue to stay safe this holiday season.

Safety Tips That Will Help Keep You and Yours Out of Harm’s Way

Some safety tips are simply common sense. Don’t allow your 10-year-old child to take a “stab” at carving his or her first turkey, or worse yet, deep-frying the turkey. Slow down on area roads and highways. Watch your alcohol intake. Get help when using ladders or chairs to hang decorations. We could go on. But, let’s hear from the experts. 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) provides the following safety tips to keep your family safe this holiday season:

Buying Toys for Young Children

• Follow the age recommendations and other safety information on the toy packaging and choose toys that match each child’s interests and abilities.
• Get safety gear, including helmets and road-rash gear, for scooters and other riding toys, and make sure that children use them every time. 
• Keep small balls and toys with small parts away from children younger than age three and keep deflated balloons away from children younger than age eight. 

Shopping In-Person

• Beware of the crowd. Everyone will be in a “rush” to get the best deals and that last gift from their list. If an area of the store is too crowded, try to wait for it to clear out before attempting to go in. Your patience may pay off in the long run (and it may help avoid a scuffle).

• Pay close attention to conditions in the store. If items are thrown everywhere and things are hanging off shelves in a dangerous manner, try to avoid the area. Also, look at the floor closely to observe spills or other hazards that may end up putting you in the hospital. Taking a moment to do these quick checks can help keep you safe from harm and injuries that might ultimately ruin your holiday.

Online Shopping

Online shopping for toys or other products continues to be a popular and convenient alternative to visiting brick and mortar stores, but particularly in a time of potential toy shortages, it is important that people follow these safety tips: 

• Always buy from stores and online retailers that you know and trust.
• To avoid counterfeits, scrutinize the product, the packaging, and the label. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is: the product may be counterfeit.
• Look for a certification mark from an independent testing organization and the manufacturer’s label on electrical products.

Holiday Decorating

• Make sure your live Christmas tree has plenty of water and look for the “Fire Resistant” label when buying an artificial tree.
• Place burning candles in sight, away from flammable items, and extinguish them before leaving the room.

Be Careful, Even When You’re Having Holiday Fun

It’s the CSPC’s job to help prevent accidents. Their safety tips are based on hard data. Following their lead is always your best bet for a fun, safe, holiday season. If you are unfortunate enough to suffer an injury, contact the Florida injury attorneys at Searcy Denney to schedule your free consultation. We’ll handle your insurance and legal claims so you can enjoy the holidays.