December 2022 – Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

As the holiday season begins, we gratefully acknowledge and thank you for support of our new firm, Kearns Rotolo Law. We are fortunate to be part of such a supportive and caring community. As we prepare to celebrate the holidays, we can enjoy traditions and festivities by making a list of safety guidelines and checking it twice.

Here are a few friendly reminders to help keep the holidays safe and injury-free.

Decorations

Nothing is more festive than the decorations that adorn our homes this time of year but, if not handled correctly, these decorations can be dangerous.

• Keep trees and other holiday plants away from heat sources, pets, and small children—some holiday plants are poisonous if ingested.
• Never leave candles unattended or in a place where they can be easily knocked down or blown over.
• Inspect decorative lights for bare or frayed wires, broken sockets, loose connections; use properly rated lights for indoor and outdoor displays.

Shopping

This time of year brings out the generosity in everyone. Exchanging gifts is one way of sharing holiday cheer.

When shopping:

• Park in well-lit areas.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; only bring those credit cards you plan to use.
• Check your bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized activity.

When purchasing gifts for children:

Toy manufacturers and retailers are facing supply chain delays and global shipping issues, prompting a possible toy shortage. Such shortages can lead to the sale of counterfeit and unsafe toys.

• Pay attention to age ratings—they relate to the safety of the toy, not to the intellect or ability of the recipient.
• Beware of button batteries and magnets, both of which can cause serious injuries if swallowed.
• If gifting scooters, skates, bikes and the like, include the appropriate safety gear (helmets, knee and elbow pads, etc.).

Fire

The leading cause of fire during the holidays isn’t the tree or the candles; it’s cooking equipment.

• Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order.
• Don’t leave the stove unattended.
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy.

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a safe, healthy New Year!