Curtis Hixon park in Tampa, FL lit up for the holidays

The Relationship between Florida Electrical Injuries and the Holidays

by ElectrocutionHoliday Safety

 

The holidays are just around the corner, and many Floridians are looking forward to getting into the holiday spirit with colorful decorations and fun family activities. However, the holidays also carry an increased risk of many kinds of injuries.

On their own, holiday decorations are responsible for about 15,000 injuries annually. You probably know to avoid doing things like standing on chairs or desks to hang decorations, because this could lead to a slip and fall injury.

What you might not know, though, is that 5,000 of those holiday decoration injuries are due to electric shock. Light-up decorations may be damaged in storage, and many DIY holiday displays are a tangled mess of extension cords.

Below, we provide a guide on how to stay safe while enjoying the holiday season, discuss common types of electrical accidents and injuries and how to prevent them, and what to do in the event of an electrical accident or injury.

Florida Electrical Accidents and Injuries: What to Watch for This Season

Electrical and Christmas Tree Fires. Electrical fires caused by faulty wiring in holiday decorations are common, and electrical fires are the fourth leading cause of house fires in the US. Christmas tree fires, which are common when non-LED lights are used on natural trees, are substantially more injurious than other fires. These fires result in twice the injuries and five times the fatalities when compared to other housefires during the winter holiday season.

Electric Shock Injuries. About 5,000 people are treated annually for electric shock related to holiday decorations. Electric shock can lead to cardiac arrest, thermal burns, and muscle, nerve, and tissue damage. These injuries can be caused by frayed wires in decorations or extension cords, the use of electrical lights on metallic Christmas trees, and improper safety practices.

How to Prevent Electrical Accidents and Injuries This Holiday Season in Florida

Fortunately, electrical fires and injuries are largely preventable by taking appropriate safety precautions and making sure decorations, extension cords, and other electrical equipment is in good working order.

The following tips can help prevent electrical mishaps:

  • Check electric decorations, light strands, and extension cords for frayed wires, broken sockets, and loose connections. If decorations or extension cords are damaged, discard them. Never used damaged electric decorations.
  • Do not use metallic fixtures, for example staples, tacks, or nails, to hang electric decorations.
  • Do not connect any more than three strands of lights to an extension cord.
  • Never plug a power strip into another power strip, which could overload the electrical socket.
  • Use LED lights, which require less electricity and give off less heat, so are less likely to cause a fire.
  • Do not use electric lights on a metallic tree.
  • Only hang electric decorations in dry areas, and do not touch wiring if you are wet or standing in water.

What Floridians Should Do If an Electrical Accident Occurs

In the event of an electrical accident or injury, remain as calm as possible so that you can react appropriately and avoid further injury or damage.

Call 911 immediately for even a small electrical fire. Attempting to put it out yourself with water will only make the fire worse, and it could lead to severe burns or electrocution.

South Florida Electrocution INjury Lawyer

If you have a fire extinguisher specifically for electrical fires, you may use it to extinguish a small fire. However, do not attempt to use another kind of fire extinguisher, which may also make the fire worse.

If someone incurs an electric shock injury, check for injuries and symptoms such as cardiac arrest, burns, loss of consciousness, and difficulty breathing. Before touching an electric shock victim, be sure to unplug all electrical wiring and turn off anything that may cause electric shock – the human body conducts electricity, so you could also be shocked.

The holidays are a very special time of year, but they are also associated with increased risk of injuries. Taking the appropriate safety precautions can ensure your family enjoys a safe and happy holiday season. Happy Holidays!

 

About the Author:

Jeffrey Braxton is a trial lawyer in Fort Lauderdale who has devoted his career to the practice of personal injury law. As lead trial attorney for the South Florida Injury Law Firm, Jeff has litigated thousands of cases and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an exclusive group of attorneys who have resolved cases in excess of one million dollars.

hurricance injury attorney

Hurricanes and Florida Electrocution Injuries

by Electrocution

 

If you are hurt by an electrical injury in Florida, you need to know why they happen and how negligence is to blame for many common injuries. We’re going to detail some of the most common injuries due to electrocution in Florida and how you can get help if negligence is involved.

 

How Electrical Injuries Happen in Florida

In the U.S., around 1,000 people die and another 4,000 experience injuries due to electrocution every year. Many of these injuries occur on the job when the controlled flow of electricity is disrupted – particularly in construction. Those who work in construction and related industries are at the highest risk for electrocution injuries.

Additionally, numerous Americans visit the emergency room every year with electrical injuries sustained at home. Power tools, appliances, cords, and electrical outlets are all reasons both children and adults experience electrical injuries in their homes.

Here are the most frequent reasons electrical accidents occur.

 

Exposed power lines

Storms or winds frequently cause power lines to fall, which presents a dangerous electrocution hazard to anyone nearby, especially if water is present.

Lightning strike

Though injuries due to lightning strikes are rare, lightning can cause long lasting or deadly consequences.

 

Hurricanes and Florida Electrocution Injuries 1 Electrocution South Florida Injury Law FirmFailure to shut off power before working

This type of oversight can cause serious or fatal injuries on the job or in the home.

Power source touches ladder

This is a common reason for job-related electrical injuries. Employees must be properly trained to use ladders in a safe way to reduce the risk of electrocution.

Water conducts electricity

Anytime water comes into contact with an electrical source, the risk of danger or death exponentially multiplies. If another’s negligence caused electricity to contact water, you may be able to sue for damages.

Motor vehicle battery causes electrical shock

A faulty motor vehicle battery could cause an electrical injury, especially to someone who is not experienced in handling batteries.

Power tool or appliance failure

When an appliance or power tool isn’t working properly, an electrical injury can result. This could be due to a manufacturer’s defect or attributed to an employer’s failure to remove faulty tools from the work inventory. A knowledgeable attorney will be able to tell what parties may be held legally responsible for this type of injury.

 

Types of Electrocution Floridians Should Watch Out For

There are four main types of electrocution that can occur:

Flash

Arc flashes typically cause only skin-level injuries.

Flame

Arc flashes may ignite surrounding materials or clothing, resulting in serious burns.

True

The circuit travels through the person with a definite entry and exit point.

 

Lightning

Electrical current affects a person’s whole body at once.

The level of injury someone suffers will depend on both the level of voltage and the length of exposure to the electrical current. If you experienced any of these injuries and you believe someone else may be at fault, you may be able to file for a personal injury lawsuit.

 

 

The Most Common Electrocution Injuries in Florida

These are the most common types of injuries that can result from electrocution.

  • External burns
  • Internal burns
  • Heart damage
  • Nerve damage
  • Loss of limbs
  • Seizures
  • Loss of concentration
  • Loss of memory
  • Lack of coordination
  • Loss of balance
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder

If you suspect an electrical injury, look for these possible indicators:

  • Irregular heart beat
  • Chest pain
  • Abdominal pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Burns on the skin
  • Broken bones

As you can imagine, any of these injuries could require hospitalization, surgery, or months of therapy. If they happened due to another person or entity’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to pay because they made a mistake. A skilled Florida personal injury attorney can advise you on your legal rights if you believe someone else is at fault for your electrical injury.

 

 

How a Knowledgeable Florida Lawyer Can Help with Your Electrical Injury

 

There are a number of ways that an experienced Florida injury attorney may be able to help if you suffer an electrocution accident.

  • They can look at the facts of the incident to help you determine if you have rights to compensation.
  • They can help you determine which party or parties may be responsible based on the available evidence. Some potential liable entities include employers, property owners, contractors, utility companies, and manufacturers.
  • If you were injured at home due to a faulty appliance, an attorney can assist you in filing a product liability lawsuit against the appliance manufacturer.
  • They can explain the types of damages that qualify for compensation, including things such as medical bills, lost income, and any pain or suffering you endured due to the accident.

 

 

 

 

Electrical Dangers Floridians Should Avoid When Decorating This Year

Electrical Dangers Floridians Should Avoid When Decorating This Year

by Electrical InjuriesElectrocution

Electrical Dangers Floridians Should Avoid When Decorating This Year

 

Electrical mishaps with Christmas decorations are a common theme of classic Christmas comedies. However, in real life, electrical hazards are nothing to laugh about.

Electrical fires, such as those resulting from faulty holiday decorations, cause about 25% of all house fires. Moreover, Christmas tree fires are a leading cause of house fires around the holiday season, and they are deadlier than most other house fires. Seasonal decorations are also associated with electrical injuries.

However, putting simple safety precautions into practice dramatically reduces the risks of electrical dangers such as fire and electrocution. Following basic safety guidelines can help prevent serious electrical and fire hazards as your family enjoys holiday festivities.

Below, we’re going to provide guidelines for avoiding common holiday electrical hazards to help your family enjoy a safe winter holiday season. Happy Holidays from all of us at The South Florida Injury Law Firm!

Holiday Electrical Fire Prevention in Florida

Electrical fires are a common holiday electrical hazard. Which makes sense. After all, holiday decorations are kept in storage for most of the year, where they may become damaged.

Moreover, many homeowners don’t exercise the same level of caution they ordinarily would when putting up permanent decorations, as holiday decorations are only intended to be displayed for a short while.

Due to all these factors, electrical fires can and do happen.

To decrease your chance of an electrical fire:

  • Check any electronic decorations and light strands for damage, such as frayed wires, broken sockets, and loose connections. Discard any damaged decorations.
  • Do not use metal hangers (e.g. tacks, staples, or nails) when hanging electrical decorations.
  • Do not connect more than three strands of lights to a single extension cord.
  • Ensure that extension cords are in good condition. Discard and replace any cords that are damaged.
  • Unplug decorations when they are not in use.
  • Consider using LED holiday lights, which give off less heat, and are therefore less likely to spark and catch fire.
  • Never use electrical decorations on a metallic tree.

Holiday Electrical Fire Prevention in Florida

Christmas Tree Fire Prevention

Every year, Christmas trees cause over 200 house fires. Christmas tree house fires are also deadlier than other house fires. However, you can decrease your chances of a Christmas tree fire by selecting the right tree and taking appropriate safety precautions.

The safest type of Christmas tree is an artificial tree labeled as “fire resistant.” Although these trees can still catch fire, they are much more resistant than live Christmas trees and conventional artificial trees.

If you do choose to use a live tree (we love the smell, too!) make sure to buy a fresh one. A fresh tree is green, and the needles will not break when bent between your fingers. The bottom of the tree should be sticky with resin, and the tree should not lose many needles when tapped on the ground.

Once your tree is home, be sure to set it up away from heat sources such as radiators. Water live trees daily to prevent them from drying out. It may also be helpful to buy live trees later in the season, so they are not on display for too long – eventually they will dry out, even when watered.

(Safely) Installing Electrical Decorations

Every year, thousands of Americans are seriously injured while installing holiday decorations – especially electrical decorations. Common injuries include electrocution, falls, strains, and sprains.

The following tips can help prevent injuries while installing electrical decorations:

  • Do not stand on a desk, chair, or other similar object while hanging decorations. Use a step ladder, stool, or ladder as appropriate.
  • Make sure that ladders and step stools are placed on a flat, level surface. Be sure to keep two points of contact with the ladder at all times.
  • Always have someone spot you while you are on a ladder to assist in balance.
  • Do not overreach when standing on a ladder or step stool. Instead, move the ladder from place to place to prevent muscle strains and potential falls.
  • Do not install electrical decorations while they are plugged in.
  • Always hang electrical decorations in a dry area. Never touch electrical wiring while you are wet or standing in water.
  • Follow the use and care instructions that accompany electrical decorations.
  • Unplug electrical decorations before replacing bulbs or fuses.
  • Keep outdoor extension cords and light strings clear of snow and standing water.
  • Plug outdoor electrical decorations into a circuit protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

(Safely) Installing Electrical DecorationsScary? A little. You don’t have to let electrical hazards scare you away from getting into the holiday season, though. Just make sure you exercise an abundance of caution with electrical decorations and Christmas trees. Do that, and your chances of injury will be significantly reduced.

 

 

About the Author:

Jeffrey Braxton is a trial lawyer in Fort Lauderdale who has devoted his career to the practice of personal injury law. As lead trial attorney for the South Florida Injury Law Firm, Jeff has litigated thousands of cases and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an exclusive group of attorneys who have resolved cases in excess of one million dollars.