Valentine’s Day Safety Tips: Preventing Injuries During Celebrations

Whether planning a romantic night out or creating an intimate home celebration, anyone celebrating Valentine’s Day should keep the increased risk of injury in the back of their minds.

Common Causes of Injuries on Valentine’s Day

Excitement, distraction, alcohol, and taking risks to create a memorable night are factors in what is often an accident waiting to happen. Injuries on Valentine’s Day can be caused by any number of seemingly harmless circumstances, including:

· Flower petals on the floor

· Lit candles in the bedroom

· Complicated recipes in a home kitchen

· High heels and other special clothing

· Chocolate-covered strawberries and candies

· Slippery winter sidewalks covered in ice or snow

· Inclement weather conditions on the roadways

· Drunk and drowsy driving accidents

If you intend to celebrate your relationship with your partner or spouse, or if you are planning a special night with yourself to toast your independence, you will want to avoid any injuries that could ruin the night. Don’t let these most common causes of injuries spoil your Valentine’s Day plans.

Car Accidents

People are injured and killed in car accidents every day, but there tend to be more accidents on holidays and special occasions. The sun is still setting relatively early in mid-February when Valentine’s Day occurs, and since most severe accidents occur at night, couples who are heading home after a romantic outing should be extra cautious when driving in the dark.

Another driving hazard to be aware of is drunk driving, which causes about 11,000 deaths each year in the United States. Valentine’s Day celebrations that involve alcohol create an increased risk for motorists and pedestrians. You cannot remove all risks associated with driving, but you can take preventive measures to cut back on your chances of being in a drunk driving accident. If you and your date have been drinking, call a cab or rideshare service to take you home.

Slip and Falls

Romantic Valentine’s Day dates that include dancing or venturing out in the wintry February weather conditions can easily lead to slip and falls, which is categorized as a premises liability accident. This means that the owner of the property where the accident occurred could be liable for the injuries associated with the slip and fall. Owners and occupiers have a duty to maintain their properties so they are safe for visitors. Restaurant owners, bar managers, and others responsible for the upkeep of public venues could be at fault for an accident if they failed to:

· Clear ice and snow from their sidewalks or parking lots

· Clean up spills or melted snow on the floor

· Remove debris or objects from the walkway

· Keep the flooring free from cracks or tears

Valentine’s Day Injuries at Home

Even if you stay in for a special Valentine’s Day celebration at home, accidents can happen in your own kitchen, living room, or bedroom. Use extra caution to avoid incidents like:

· Cooking accidents, such as burns or cuts

· Candle fires or burns

· Choking accidents

· Slip and falls from debris like flower petals

What to do After a Valentine’s Day Accident

If you are injured on February 14th and believe someone else is at fault, you should consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Whether you are in Atlanta or Chicago, there are time limits for taking legal action after an injury, and The CP Law Group can help. Call us at 844-546-4878 (that’s 844-5-IM-HURT) or reach out on social media to @TheCPLawGroup to schedule a free consultation.