Holiday Tips: Stay Safe This Season

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), December is a particularly dangerous month for drivers, especially during the holidays. Between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone, nearly 30-40 percent of all fatal accidents involve alcohol consumption. Over the past five years, nearly 5,000 drunk-driving fatalities nationally occurred during December.

Winter weather and increased travel volumes also contribute to heightened accident risks due to icy roads, poor visibility, and fatigued drivers. Millions of Americans are expected to travel during the holiday season, making road safety precautions even more crucial this December. Whether traveling by car, bus, plane or even hosting at home, it is wise to brush up on some essential holiday-related safety tips first!

Holiday Crash Data

The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that between 343 and 445 traffic-related fatalities are likely to occur during the days leading up to Christmas Day, which spans from 6:00 p.m. on December 22 until 11:59 p.m. on December 25. Historically, this period alone accounts for nine percent of all motor vehicle deaths in December, and drunk driving is a significant factor. Data from the NHTSA’s most recent December holiday-related crash statistics include:

• Nearly 50 percent of all fatal accidents involved unrestrained vehicle occupants not wearing seat belts, and this increases during nighttime hours.
• In December 2022, 1,062 fatalities were linked to alcohol-related crashes – a 15-year high.
• Drivers aged 21-34 were overrepresented in fatal alcohol-related crashes during December.
• On average, 45 daily alcohol-related fatalities occur during Christmas and increase to 54 per day during the New Year holiday.
• Nearly 45 percent of alcohol-related crashes occur between midnight and 3:00 a.m.
• Weather-related crashes also increase during December when icy and snowy conditions significantly contribute to accidents.

Distracted and drowsy driving is also particularly dangerous during the holidays, especially among those traveling on longer holiday trips. The extended hours on the road and rushed travel schedules common during the holidays can significantly increase these risks.

Travel Safety Tips to Follow

As you can see, topics such as buckling up and driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs are major safety concerns. To reduce preventable traffic crashes and fatalities, the American Automobile Association (AAA) urges travelers to observe the following lifesaving safety precautions:

• Never drive when you are feeling fatigued or drowsy. Drowsy driving is nearly as dangerous as driving under the influence.
• Ensure that all occupants are wearing a seat belt.
• NEVER drive if you are impaired. If you plan on drinking or using drugs, designate a sober driver, book a taxi, or use a rideshare service.
• Before hitting the road, check your tire pressure, gas tank, and window washer fluid levels.
• No distractions behind the wheel. This means no cell phone, no eating or drinking, no fiddling with your car’s navigation system, etc.
• Observe all posted speed limits, work zones, and other signage on the road.
• Do not drive aggressively or engage with aggressive drivers.
• Leave an appropriate and safe amount of space between your vehicle and others on the road.
• Clean off your taillights, headlights, and windshield before you start your trip.

Cooking Safety

Cooking during the December holiday season also presents increased fire hazards. Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are the second and third highest days for home cooking fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), unattended cooking is the leading cause of fire incidents, particularly as families juggle multiple tasks during holiday celebrations. To mitigate cooking-related hazards, the NFPA has several useful pointers, which include:

• Stay in the kitchen. Do not leave food unattended.
• Do not leave the house while cooking a turkey or ham. Check the oven frequently.
• Keep children a minimum of three feet away from the stove. Keep handles pointed inward.
• Keep knives out of reach of children.
• Keep children away from hot foods and liquids. Steam or splashes from coffee, gravy, or vegetables can cause serious burns.
• Keep the floor clear of obstacles so no one trips over toys, pocketbooks, bags, etc.
• Make sure your fire alarms are working! Test them by pushing the “test” button. If necessary, replace the batteries.

Holiday decorations, such as candles, are responsible for a 46 percent spike in house fires during December. Though less frequent, Christmas tree fires are particularly destructive, causing significant property damage, injuries, or fatalities, and are most commonly caused by electrical malfunctions and overload.

Regardless of what you plan this holiday season, our team at Galfand Berger wishes you and your loved ones a very Happy Holiday!

Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP, Representing Injured Victims Since 1947

If you have questions about filing a claim for injuries you sustained this holiday season, contact the Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP today. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.