While it may be the season of joy and love, every year, more than 18,000 people visit emergency rooms because of accidents related to Christmas decorations. While many of these accidents occur in homes, as people put up their annual Christmas decorations, others occur in public places. For example, more than 277 children are injured each year while visiting Santa in a mall or retail store. These injuries are from falling off Santa’s lap and tripping over decorations in the area.
Many parents and grandparents experience slip-and-fall injuries from Christmas decorations and extension cords stretched across walkways while taking children to see Santa or shopping for Christmas presents. Stores tend to be less cautious during the holidays, often taking shortcuts when decorating that puts the public at risk.