To some, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. To others, there is a lot of chaos that comes with the holiday season. Whether you’re jolly or glum this holiday season, if you plan to head out and do any shopping there are some pitfalls you should be aware of that could leave you injured as the result of a Connecticut slip and fall accident.
The pitfalls of holiday shopping can be slightly different depending on where you like to complete your shopping. If you’re more of a shop small type of person you will face one set of challenges. If you prefer the hustle and bustle of big box stores and local malls you will face another set of challenges. There may be some overlap and that’s where we’re going to focus today.
Getting out of the house to get your holiday shopping done can be treacherous, but it doesn’t have to be dangerous if you are familiar with the various situations that could put you at risk. If you are aware and alert for these dangers you will likely make it out of any shopping destination with your bag of goodies in toe and your health and wellness intact. So, keep in mind some of the following dangers and you’ll be sipping your favorite holiday beverage in no time with all of your shopping done before the clock strikes midnight.
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Crowded sidewalks. Those sidewalks that you usually walk with plenty of elbow room may become overly crowded during the holiday season. This can be dangerous for you as you may get knocked around a little and if you’re not careful your balance could get thrown out of whack and you could very easily fall to the ground and become injured. The best way to handle this is to walk slowly and with your head up so you can be aware of when the crowds are the densest and avoid them if at all possible.
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Poor lighting. With the days at the shortest point of the year it is quite likely that you’ll be out doing some shopping when the sky is dark and therefore you will be relying on the glow of street lights and those provided by the retailers you’ll be visiting. Poor lighting can be a danger when you’re out shopping because if you cannot see where you are going you could end up in an accident. The best way to make sure your path is always well lit is to carry a small flashlight with you so if you come across a poorly lit area you can shine the flashlight and be ready for whatever the path in front of you holds.
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Those pesky heavy packages. With shopping comes lots of heavy packages to lug around until you get back to your car. If you’re planning a full day of shopping it might be a good idea to plan multiple trips to and from your car so you are never carrying too heavy of a load. If you’re weighed down by the packages you are carrying you will not be able to focus on keeping your footing while you walk. It is important that you take time to consolidate your packages and not risk carrying too much. You may also consider a shopping cart (if available) so you can get out to your car quickly and safely. It may take you an extra minute or two to return the cart, but it will be worth it when you return home free from injury.
There is something magical in the air during the holiday shopping season, but if you’re not careful there are some things that can cause you to become injured as the result of a Connecticut slip and fall accident. You don’t want to put yourself or someone you’re with at risk of becoming injured because that could really dampen the spirit of the season.
If you get injured you may need to speak with someone who has experience with your type of situation. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will hear your story and work with you on protecting your long-term interests.
