Holiday High Jinks

By Patricia-Anne Tom | December 19, 2005

The holiday season is a great time to eat, drink and be merry. But the last thing anyone wants is a visit from the Grinch. And an unfortunate side-effect of too much holiday reveling are accidents that can injure individuals and businesses.

Take for example, the strings of lights and candles that emerge from basements and attics just after Thanksgiving to brighten people’s spirits. A recent survey revealed that nearly a quarter of Washington homeowners were putting themselves at risk for fire and injury by using unsafe electrical cords, not unplugging lights, overloading circuits or not placing candles in holders (See page 31). Fire deaths increase an average of 50 percent on Dec. 23, 24 and 25 according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

Additionally, too much holiday drinking has ill effects besides just a hangover. Englewood, Colo.-based InsureMe, which links agents nationwide with consumers shopping for insurance, indicates that between Thanksgiving and Christmas, more alcohol-impaired drivers get behind the wheel than at any other time of year. According to the National Safety Council and physician-led traffic safety advocacy group End Needless Death on Our Roadways (END), 17,000 motorists were killed nationwide in alcohol-related crashes last year.

The “Fatal Fifteen” states and territories, as ranked by END and NSC are (in order): Rhode Island, Puerto Rico, Montana, Texas, Louisiana, Hawaii, Wisconsin, Illinois, Maryland, South Carolina, Washington, South Dakota, Connecticut, Oregon, Massachusetts, the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania. Two western states–California and New Mexico–were placed on a “watch list,” as the number of accidents in those states were near those in the Fatal Fifteen.

To avoid holiday high jinks, here are a few common sense precautions:

Burn holiday candles only in non-combustible holders, such as metal or glass.

Before heading out to a party or to the shopping mall, unplug Christmas lights. And turn off lights before going to bed. Use a timer so lights are on only during specified hours. This also can reduce the energy bill.

Don’t overload electrical outlets or run too many electrical cords together. Heed warning labels that indicate how much electrical current is appropriate.

Before heading to a party, designate a non-drinking driver.

If you don’t have a designated driver, arrange for a friend, family member or even taxi to take you home.

If all else fails, arrange to spend the night at your host’s home.

The holiday season is a great time of year; I love the extra bit of merriment that it brings. But with the accompanying parties and celebrations, insurance agents and brokers would be wise to remind their employees and customers to take a little extra precaution, too. After all, it’s much better to be safe during the holiday season so you can be peaceful and jolly throughout the whole year.

Happy Holidays,