If you are like a lot of New Yorkers, you may still be shopping for that perfect holiday gift or menu item. With so much on your mind, you may forget some of the most basic safety rules as you head out to the mall or grocery stores.
But don’t let safety take a back seat this holiday season. Below are some tips to make your holidays safer for one and all.
Beware of parking lots
You might not think of parking lots as inherently dangerous places, but they certainly can be. People are distracted. Often, their arms are laden with packages. They may have small children with them who are prone to dart into harm’s way.
Parking lots can also have slippery surfaces that make walking difficult. Even a light dusting of snow can create fall hazards, and ice may not be visible on an asphalt surface until you take a tumble.
Increased traffic heightens dangers
With everyone on the roads rushing to pick up last-minute gifts and holiday treats, tempers can get short, inciting instances of road rage. Bumper-to-bumper traffic can cause fender-benders, and pedestrians can get hit while crossing against the light.
Taking an extra beat once the lights turn green can prevent accidents when the last car in the intersection runs the red light.
Store displays can be hazardous
If displays of heavy merchandise get stacked too high, there is a risk that they can come tumbling down on the heads and shoulders of hapless shoppers. These types of injuries can be devastating — and even deadly.
No one wants their holidays ruined by a collision or other accident on the premises of a store or mall. If you suffered injuries while shopping this holiday season, you may have the right to seek compensation for your damages and other losses.