Having family and friends over to your house for a holiday gathering may be the “true” best part of Christmas. And if Santa stops by, even better!
Of course, you don’t want to expose Santa to unnecessary dangers as he drops off your gifts. A slip on loose roof shingles or a fall down a crumbling chimney would put a dent in Christmas cheer. For the same reasons, you don’t want to welcome your parents and your siblings into a house that’s not absolutely safe.
California premises liability laws hold homeowners and party throwers responsible for the safety of the people they invite in. These laws can come into play during the season of Christmas parties and Thanksgiving shindigs.
Keeping Your House Safe from Personal Injury Hazards Over the Holidays
Under California premises liability laws, homeowners and property owners are responsible for the safety of their guests. That should absolutely apply to the family and friends we cherish.
Homeowners must remove any hazards that exist in and around the home. They must also monitor for the messes that other visitors create and clean up or repair those dangers, too. When property owners are negligent in this duty, and someone gets hurt, victims can ask for help to pay for recovery.
You obviously don’t want anyone hurt at your parties. You also don’t want to be financially responsible for a major injury suffered by a guest in your home. Better to spend that money on a great Christmas gift.
To avoid these terrible situations, here are a few tips on prepping your home for a safe holiday gathering:
- Keep Track of Dribbles – Keep an eye out for Grandma and Grandpa spilling their drinks on hardwood floors. If left out, those puddles can cause a guest to slip backward. Visitors might hit their heads or fracture a hip in a slip-and-fall. Mop up all hazards as soon as you spot them, even a puddle of milk Santa accidentally leaves behind.
- Check the Carpet and Hallways – Frayed or rolled up carpets are also a tripping hazard. Folks carrying in gifts can hit a snag and fall forward, flat on their faces to damage teeth, or on a knee for a painful impact. Keep debris, trash, and spilled candy out of hallways so people can’t get them underfoot and take a fall.
- Check Stairs and Decks – The guardrails on steps indoors and outdoors must be solid. Make sure no steps are rotting or loose. Also, look under decks to make sure support beams can take the extra weight of holiday visitors. (like Santa!) Look for rot or nails that are coming out.
- Put Fido Up for Christmas – Dogs love Christmas too, but they don’t always do well with new people in the house. Curious children can also put pups in situations that make them uncomfortable. If you aren’t sure, it’s better to give pets their own room during a get-together. Bites can be devastating for victims. It’s also bad for the dog.
- Front Walk Safety Check – If you live in a cold part of California, keep that front walk and driveway clear and ice-free. In any part of California, you should keep tripping hazards out of walking paths. Remove cords running to Christmas lights if they could trip someone. Check for exposed wiring in all cords. Make sure there are no landscaping dangers where people will be stepping.
- Fire Safety – Be extremely careful with Christmas candles and fireplaces. If you haven’t used the fireplace in a while, have it inspected before guests arrive. Test fire detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
What if My Child or I Are Hurt at a Family Member’s Home at Christmas?
Victims of a dog bite or a fall that fractures a bone can face a massive wall of medical costs. They may also lose out on paychecks if they can’t go back to work the next day. Santa has one big night a year, and an injury can take him out at exactly the worst time!
Most of us can’t afford to pay emergency room bills while also losing out on income. It’s why personal injury support exists. To help victims and their families, and Santa, recover after an accident.
Victims may feel unsure about filing a claim against a homeowner whom they know and love. They may wonder if they’ll bankrupt a friend or family member.
But that’s not really the way to think about it. The claim will mainly target the family member’s homeowners insurance. They shouldn’t take a major financial hit simply because the victim asked for help with paying doctor bills.
What’s more, the family member or friend will likely not want to abandon someone to struggle with medical costs alone. Especially at Christmas. They’ll want to help. It’s why they pay homeowners insurance premiums anyway.
Have a Happy and Safe Holiday and Ask for Support if You Are Hurt
We here at Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys, APC, hope you and your family enjoy a safe and fun holiday season. Keep your family out of harm’s way and give Santa a clear runway, too, while you’re at it.
If you are hurt in a holiday accident that could have been prevented, don’t face your recovery alone.
Contact a California personal injury lawyer and take advantage of a free, no-obligation case consultation and a real lawyer. We can help you get the most out of an insurance company possible, so you don’t have to worry about medical costs while enjoying the holidays.