Keep These Things In Mind To Stay Safe When Shopping For The Holidays

The hustle and bustle of the holidays is almost upon us and while much of the shopping that used to take place at big box stores and area malls has moved online, there is still a huge amount of people that will be coming and going over the next two months at places like the Shops at Yale and the Connecticut Post Mall. Even smaller destinations with fewer stores will be bustling with people trying to find the right gift for that special someone.

For some, this is the most wonderful time of the year. For others, there is a stress that comes with having to track down gifts and all that comes with that. Whether you’re a lover of being out and about shopping or do it begrudgingly to put a smile on your loved one’s face, there are some things you need to keep in mind when you’re out shopping to help keep yourself safe and those around you safe.

Getting into a New Haven auto accident or being injured in a New Haven slip and fall accident can really dampen your holiday spirit. Taking just a couple of minutes before you head out to really think about the things you can do to remain safe while you’re shopping can be the difference between getting injured and spending your holidays on crutches or in the hospital and toasting to the New Year on December 31st with all your friends and family.

When you’re heading out for a shopping trip over the next few months you will want to pay close attention to the weather. In November and December the weather can be quite unpredictable and can go from warm and breezy to chilly and stormy quite quickly. If you’re not prepared for it a sudden snow squall or a patch of black ice could put you in danger of becoming injured and not being able to complete your shopping trip. While you can’t completely predict the weather when you’re out shopping, you can keep an eye on it and do your best to gauge whether the conditions are safe to be out in or not. If you deem them to be borderline, you might want to postpone your trip.

Another thing you should be thinking about before you head out on a shopping trip is your footwear. We know you’re not headed out on a hike so you don’t need hiking boots or anything like that, but you may need footwear that can keep you safe under slippery conditions. Sidewalks can become icy very quickly this time of year and before you know it a rain soaked sidewalk can become a sheet of ice. If you’re not prepared for the change with the appropriate footwear you could be at risk. On top of the sidewalk dangers, the floors inside stores can become extremely slippery when people are bringing the weather in from the outdoors. If your shoes are not ready to tackle this kind of treacherous flooring then you might find yourself to be at risk.

You might not have ever thought about the bags you are carrying with you from store to store, but the items that are in the bags and the bags themselves can weigh you down and throw your equilibrium off to the point where you might not be able to walk straight and be off balance to the point where you fall over and get injured. Even if you do make it back to your car with the loaded up bags safely, they can present a risk if you don’t pack your car properly. You’ll need to make sure that you are not blocking your view or the view of the driver when you pack your bags into your car. A blind spot, even a small one, that is caused by bags that are stacked high can be very troubling, especially when you are driving in a crowded parking lot or on busy streets.

When you head out to the stores to do your holiday shopping you may not be thinking about the things that might happen that could put you in danger of getting into a New Haven auto accident or a New Haven slip and fall accident, but truthfully if you’re not thinking about these things you may be putting yourself at significant risk of becoming injured and really having your holiday spirit put to the test when you are hurt and trying to sing your favorite carol of the season.

If you do find yourself injured as the result of an accident that occurred while you were out doing your holiday shopping you may wish to speak with someone who has experience with your particular type of situation. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review your situation and work with you to protect your long-term interests.