Staying safe over the holidays

With all the chaos that can come along with the holiday season, safety is sometimes not at the top of everyone’s list of priorities.

However, the silly season can be a hotbed of hazards that require a few extra preventive steps in order to safeguard everyone from potential accidents.

Even the most innocuous-seeming parts of the Christmas celebrations, such as Christmas lights and decorations, can put your family at risk of an injury or accident when the proper precautions aren’t taken.

An article published in the Journal of Social Science and Medicine found there were more emergency department deaths on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day than on any other day of the year. The authors stated that both Christmas and New Year seemed to be risk factors for deaths from many diseases.

It’s not something everyone wants to think about, but safeguarding your family from the hazards of the holidays can help everyone join in on the festivities without fear.

Christmas trees and decorations

In Australia, the tradition of putting up a tree decked out with all the trimmings is an integral part of the holiday celebrations. However, these Christmas decorations and trees can pose a unique set of risks to the family that need to be mitigated.

Earlier this month, the Queensland State Government urged residents to avoid buying cheaper or second-hand Christmas lights as the risk of an electrical malfunction can increase. While you may be tempted to save a few extra dollars by checking out a local garage sale or snapping up a bargain online, the risks may ultimately be too great.

To make sure your lights are safe for use, look for ones that have been approved for sale in Australia and use them according to the manufacturer’s directions. Once they’re up and on the tree, switch them off until the tree is decorated and keep them off during the night or when you’re going to be out of the house.

Falls can also be a common source of accidents during the season, so make sure any cables and wires from your lights are stowed safely out of danger, and be careful when placing decorations onto your tree.

Gifts, children and travel

Christmas is a magical time for children, but the overload of presents and toys in particular can present a different set of hazards. If you’re buying gifts for children, make sure your present fits in the right age group for the child.

Additionally, small parts and accessories (whether from the toy or from the Christmas decorations) can be dangerous and may be choking hazards for children left unsupervised, so make sure that your gifts are appropriate and that any loose items have not fallen off the tree.

The holidays are also notorious for seeing a spike in the road toll and accidents, so if you’re planning to drive this Christmas, whether short or long distances, take extra care while you’re behind the wheel.

Preparing for every eventuality

Physically safeguarding your family from these dangers is relatively simple, but if the unexpected should happen and you’re no longer there to provide for them, financial assistance can be invaluable.

Arranging a life insurance policy in Australia ensures your nominated beneficiaries will receive a lump sum benefit in the event that you pass away. This can help to ease any financial burdens, and give you peace of mind your loved ones will still be taken care of when you’re no longer around.

You can tailor your level of cover and include other policies such as trauma and permanent disability if you so choose. You may wish to compare different products with Choosi to find the most suitable policy for your needs.