New Year's ResolutionsSafety should be a priority each and every year. But sometimes, someone we know is affected by an accident or major life event, and we start thinking about how we would react if something were to happen to us. So instead of swearing off carbohydrates in the new year, why not make a resolution to actively prepare to keep you and your family safe and healthy in 2016?

In 2016, choose a resolution that will have a positive impact on your whole family, and maintain your peace of mind all year.  While you may never see the benefits of the injuries you prevent or the accidents you avoid, the peace of mind provided by just a few resolute measures is well worth the effort.

To cover all your safety bases, here are three topics that the personal injury attorneys at Hupy and Abraham consider great new year resolutions to stay safe and healthy in 2016.

  • Emergency planning: Use your resolution as an opportunity to prepare your home, family and vehicle for any emergency situation. At home, this could be preparing for a natural disaster, a power outage, or maybe a fire or burglary. For your vehicle, this may mean preparing for a car accident or breakdown. Consider assembling emergency kits for your home and vehicles that would suffice in any situation, (kits are best when waterproof and portable).  Check out this list to assemble an emergency kit for your car. Finally, make sure you discuss and practice with your family, especially young children, your plan of action in any emergency situation.
     
  • Home safety: When done efficiently, maintaining a safe home takes a little more than just locking the door. Consider assembling a home-maintenance checklist that you will commit to revise each time the seasons change, in order to keep your home safe year-round. Use the list to reduce fall risks by making sure high foot- traffic areas are well lit, and make sure halls, stairs and walkways inside and outside of your home are free of obstacles, clutter and ice. Practice fire safety by installing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, which should be checked twice a year. And finally, make sure to review and appropriately update your homeowners’, life and health insurance policies in case of a serious accident.
     
  • Driving safety: Over time, our adherence to good driving practices tends to get a little lax and it becomes easier to excuse our adoption of bad habits. The rising number of preventable automobile accidents each year is a testament to those habits. During the new year, actively work to make safe driving choices. If you know you often text or perform other distracting tasks while driving, check out these startling statistics. Then consider making a commitment to leave your phone down, off or away whenever your car is in motion. Similar resolutions to never drink and drive, to always wear a seatbelt and to properly maintain your vehicle year-round can all save lives.

As we head into the new year, remember that even if you don’t kick your reality-TV habit, you can still stick to a resolution of safety that will make 2016 the best and safest year for you and those you love. Sometimes, just a degree of forethought and prevention is all it takes to help you avoid a serious accident or injury in the new year.

Despite our best efforts, accidents still do happen. And when they do, remember that the experienced personal injury attorneys at Hupy and Abraham are prepared to help you get the compensation you deserve, so you can get back to your life. If you were injured in a preventable accident, due to the negligence of another, contact Hupy and Abraham at 800-800-5678 or start a live chat anytime at Hupy.com.  

Jill Erin Wellskopf
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Director of Marketing, Hupy and Abraham