Imprudent swinging, reckless games and careless preparation for festivities – three biggest threats in Easter

The four Easter holidays ahead of us is a wonderful chance to have a good rest and enjoy ourselves, still, we should not forget being cautious also during festivities. Especially for children of school age and middle-aged people. The data of BTA Baltic Insurance Company (BTA) indicate that it is the days off in particular, when the quantity of recklessly sustained injuries goes up.

In order to avoid tuning celebration into hours of anxiety at the doctor’s, BTA Baltic Insurance Risks Underwriting Department Director Ivo Danče reminds not to forget about caution. According to the injuries sustained most often, he suggests paying more attention in the following situations.

Careless swinging

Easter swing attracts children like a magnet and adults as well use the chance to have a hearty swing at least once a year. Unfortunately, it is just this merry tradition of keeping away mosquitoes that gets many into a surgeon’s office.

“At the sight of a swing, children and adults alike often jump into them right away and start swinging. But, it would be a wise thing to check them before doing so, especially when you are at a place you are just visiting and do not know much about that swing. Quite often, Easter swing is used for the first time after winter, and its ropes and wooden elements can be worn, lost strength and come apart during swinging. It leads to falling and injuries,” I. Danče accounts an often seen insurance claim scenario. Care should be taken also in the case of a metal swing, especially, when it is cold outside, and you get on the swing in cloth gloves. They can be slippery on the dry metal, and, swinging high up, there is a risk of losing grip.

Reckless games

Even if the weather for Easter is not too warm, this holiday is perceived as a messenger of spring anyway. A day that you want to spend in nature, play with your children or take up physical activity. The statistics of accidents shows that many adults overestimate their fitness as they attempt, without special preparation, to do the tricks they were able a number of years ago. This leads to serious injuries, such as broken arms and legs. This is especially true for those who did not go in for sports in the winter.

"So before climbing a tree, jumping over obstacles, somersaulting or jumping on a trampoline, everyone should ask themselves the question: Am I really in a good physical shape and will I be able to do it? I doubt the gains are worth taking the risks for the sake of just showing off," I.Danče suggests thinking twice.

More than usual, eye should be kept on children, especially if the holiday is to take place in a large group of guests and children. Daredevils quickly dare other children to feats, making their parents gawk in astonishment, how come their so judicious offspring had tried to check the thickness of ice on the pond.

Careless preparation for festivities

Incredible as it may sound, but many serious injuries are sustained while just preparing for festivities. For example, an insurance claim was filed for an injury of the eye sustained by cutting gel nails with scissors, or sitting down on hot hair curlers. Burns sustained while preparing festive dishes look trifle against this background.

"Such accidents happen because we want to relax on holidays, not to care about everyday things, and thus lose our vigilance. There is no universal cure for that. You just have be careful, and think a few steps ahead in doing something," says I.Danče, reminding that no one is absolutely protected against accidents. However, unforeseen treatment costs can be avoided by purchasing a personal accident insurance policy. BTA personal accident insurance policy covers risks such as traffic accidents, injuries sustained in a physical attack or daily injuries, dog and cat bites, injuries sustained in farming works or during winter sports, and even a broken tooth while eating.

About BTA

BTA Baltic Insurance Company is one of the leading insurance companies in the Baltics, offering the broadest range of non-life insurance services in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. BTA employs more than 1 000 employees in the Baltics. The largest shareholder of BTA is Vienna Insurance Group AG with 200 years of experience in the insurance industry. More than 50 companies in 25 countries constitute the group, which employs 25,000 employees. Vienna Insurance Group AG is a clear leader in its core markets in Europe maintaining high rating of financial stability – Standard & Poor’s A+ (stable outlook), with a listing on the Vienna and the Prague Stock Exchange.

Additional information:
Elīna Rasmane
Marketing and Public Relations Department Director
BTA Baltic Insurance Company AAS
e-mail: elina.rasmane@bta.lv