Risks of Fire and Serious Burn Injuries Increases AFTER the Holidays

If you are like many California families, you might keep your Christmas tree and other decorations up to extend the holidays after unwrapping all the gifts. Unfortunately, you could be putting others at risk of serious burn injuries by leaving up this quintessential symbol of the season. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that 29 percent of all residential Christmas tree fires occur in January. These incidents are usually linked to dried out trees, which become highly flammable regardless of how well they were watered during the previous few weeks. In studies, experts have found that severely dehydrated Christmas trees explode into fiery flashovers in less than a minute.

Still, trees do not just ignite without some source of fire or heat. When the cause behind a fire is a defective product, such as lighting or other decorations, victims can suffer serious burns. An Oakland burn injuries lawyer can explain your legal remedies if you were hurt, but an overview of post-holiday fire risks may be useful.

Burn Injuries Around the Holidays: On average, US fire departments respond to almost three dozen residential fires every year that occurred because of Christmas trees and other holiday decorations. Approximately half of these fires are linked to electrical issues and lights; the other half are linked to cooking, baking, and fireworks. While smoke inhalation is a threat, victims often suffer serious burn injuries, which are classified according to severity:

• First degree burns are mild, with some redness and discomfort. An example is a sunburn.
• A second degree burn penetrates multiple layers of skin, including the epidermis and dermis. The wound may result in blisters and swelling, and the pain is more intense.
• Third degree burns destroy both the epidermis and dermis, often penetrating the muscle and tissues under the skin. Because of damage to nerve endings, the victim may not experience significant pain.
  

Legal Remedies for Burn Injuries: Burns are among the most excruciating types of injuries because the effects can be widespread, often affect the hands and face. After receiving emergency care to stabilize the injuries, a victim often faces a long road ahead for recovery. You may require multiple surgeries and skin graft procedures, but the scarring and disfigurement can still be substantial. Plus, the emotional implications of burn injuries are extreme.

Fortunately, California products liability laws provide victims with legal remedies when a defective, dangerous item causes burns or other injuries. You can pursue the manufacturer or other company in the supply chain to recover such damages as:

• Medical costs;
• Lost wages;
• Pain and suffering;
• Diminished quality of life; and,
• Many others.

Consult with an Oakland Burn Injuries Attorney About Legal Remedies

The best tip for avoiding serious burn injuries from Christmas tree fires is to take yours down promptly, but you may be relieved to find that you do have options as an injured victim. If you were hurt because of a defective product, please contact the Oakland burn injuries lawyers at Venardi Zurada, LLP right away. We can set up a free consultation at our offices.

Resource:

nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Press-Room/News-releases/2020/NFPA-encourages-prompt-removal-of-Christmas-trees