NuMark branches will be CLOSED on Monday, January 20th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, January 21st.
Now that the holidays are finally here, there’s a lot to plan for between gifts, travel, and more, all on top of your usual bills. Not only do you have to worry about paying for all the stuff you can plan for, but what about the stuff that you don’t see coming?
Despite the joy and whimsy of the season, it also brings an increase of emergencies when it comes to injuries that can occur. While accidents are often unavoidable (no matter how hard we might try), they can also add an additional financial stress to what can already be a rough time for your budget. Here are some common accidents that can often occur over the course of the season and some tips on how to avoid them:
Watch Out for Fire Hazards
With the holiday season comes festive decorations and feasts. As beautiful as it is to see your trees lit up at night, or as fun as it is to cook with family, it also comes with its own risks. During the holiday season, there’s often an increase in both electrical and kitchen fires that can occur – leading to some pricey damage to your home. However, there are a few ways to keep your risk of fires this season to a minimum.
When it comes to decorations like lights and your tree, be sure that you’re keeping it watered if you choose to buy a live tree. A dry tree makes it more susceptible to catching fire, so if it gets overheated from the lights, fire can catch easier. If you choose to buy a fake tree, be sure to look into fire resistant options, and it’s always a good idea to make sure you’re not plugging in too many cords into one outlet to avoid blowing the circuit, and that you’re keeping an eye on any candles. In the kitchen, make sure you never leave the stove unattended, and be sure that you’re following all directions when cooking food. While fried turkey might be delicious, for example, it’s also dangerous and could explode if not thawed out in its entirety, increasing the chance of a potential grease fire.
Cut Down the Risk of Cuts
One of the most common injuries that can occur during the holidays is cuts. Whether it’s from cooking in the kitchen and carving the ham, or a broken ornament when you’re decorating the tree, the risk of you or a loved one accidentally getting a cut can increase. These accidents can lead to a trip to urgent care and an unexpected medical bill.
While opening all the packages and gifts you’ll be receiving this holiday season, make sure you’re following all safety precautions when doing so. Be sure you’re cutting away from yourself and others, and always open packages for young children. Depending on how many packages you know you’ll be receiving, it could be worth buying a safety blade to lessen the chance of any accidental cuts. When it comes to broken ornaments or decorations causing cuts, while you can’t always avoid the accident itself, be sure that you clear all children and pets in the area and clean it up thoroughly, before safely disposing of them.
Slips & Falls
One more common accident that can lead to injuries is falling. It’s not uncommon for people to fall off of a ladder when they’re decorating their home or slip on icy pavement and get a sprain or even break a bone. Not only can these injuries be a hinderance in your daily life, but the medical bills can also put a damper on your holiday cheer.
Before hopping on a ladder to decorate your house, make sure to double check your ladder to ensure there’s nothing broken or worn down that can put your safety at risk. It’s also a good idea to work with someone else, so that they can spot you while you climb up to decorate. If you live in an area where it’s common to have snow and ice, while there’s not much you can do with public spaces other than keeping an eye out, make sure you buy some salt to sprinkle on your walkways and sidewalk around your house to prevent slips.
Final Thoughts
The holiday season, while filled with excitement and festivities, can cause some additional stress when it comes to your finances. Between buying gifts for loved ones and party hosts, traveling to see family, and more, it’s easy to get stressed. That stress can worsen when accidents happen, and you find yourself paying for an unexpected repair or medical bill.
There are a lot of ways to protect you and your loved ones from these accidents occurring and lessen the chance of you paying an unexpected bill. Aside from following safety tips and being aware of your surroundings, it could be handy to open a savings account in the event of an emergency. NuMark has a variety of savings account options to help lessen that financial burden in the event of an unexpected expense, so you can celebrate more and worry less.
If you’d like to learn more about opening a savings account with NuMark, feel free to stop by your nearest branch, or call 815-729-3211.
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