http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/12/nxmas112.xml
Have I just missed all the reports over the years of people being maimed by Christmas street lights? This is obviously a massive problem, otherwise, why would these ridiculously extreme measures be called for now? I evidently missed all the reports of street displays pulling chunks out of buildings too... I had no idea that these displays posed such a risk to public health and safety!
How many claims EXACTLY have been filed to justify the huge cost of insurance? Could anyone direct me to the statistics?
2007-10-12 11:34:05 · 15 answers · asked by RM 6 in News & Events ➔ Current Events
People being maimed by ...what.....you are having a laugh.Mind you........on a more serious note,l was actually attacked by several drops of water falling from the sky recently...........who do l sue?
2007-10-12 11:42:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
In the words of Victor Meldrew "I don't believe it!"
Health and Safety IS very important, but when you do a risk assessment, you have to weigh up the likelyhood of an event happening - like the Christmas lights actually falling down and causing injury - Has it happened before? if so, how many times, is the risk high, medium or low that it will actually happen? At a guess, I'd say it hasn't happened, and the risk is very low, but hey, I haven't tested any of the anchorages with the pressure puller thing! (I only have a ladder, I wouldn't be allowed up there without the cherry picker!! Haha!)
If I didn't know better, I would think this article appeared in the paper on 1st April....... or is Mr E. Scrooge in charge of the council this year?!
2007-10-12 18:45:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The insurance companies only have to get stung once and the premiums go through the roof. Health and safety is important but sometimes appears to be over-cautious.
I had a little look into this question and found this little gem;
"31 Brits have died since 1996 by watering their Christmas tree while the fairy lights were plugged in."
2007-10-12 19:02:57 · answer #3 · answered by dave 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes - I hear several people have cricked their necks when gazing up at the lights. They're blatantly hazardous.
If they want to ban anything at christmas for causing an injury it should be those stupid wire ties that keep toys fastened to their boxes. There is a danger every christmas of me throwing the things across the room and killing someone.
2007-10-12 18:51:37 · answer #4 · answered by snaffle 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well this is what it is all coming to now. In any case Christmas is not what it used to be anymore, it just a commercial thing to make loads of money. Shame really, long gone the innocence and the true meaning of the Christmas spirit
2007-10-12 18:54:20 · answer #5 · answered by Glenn M 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It makes me sad and mad and I think it is just a clever ploy to give 'those' who object to Christianity their own way.. For the past few year we have seen subtle changes in the festive decorations and before long we won't be allowed any..... Mm I wonder what will 'spring' up instead? But I bet it won't relate to the British culture... It seems scrooge has been reincarnated but this time there is no happy ending.......
2007-10-12 19:08:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is another scam from the government for the So called "Racial Equality" to try to suppress all Christmas things.
Christmas is mainly a White people's thing and as such, they want to abolish it as "offencive" to Muslim people.
Last year they tried to stop the sale of Christmas trees, remember ?
2007-10-12 18:52:00 · answer #7 · answered by Trucky 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its pretty bad when you can't follow custom. Its pretty sad to. Personally i hate the holiday its seems a waste of money... but it makes allot of people happy. You would think they could find a way to budget it in as it meens so much to most people and its just makes that time of year feel that much warmer... even if you don't celebrate.
As for public safety....bah! its no more a threat than a simple question of money.
2007-10-12 18:41:52 · answer #8 · answered by rosapreta_mistico 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think the insurance industry is blaming 'increasing litigiousness' and is actually just trying to make a quick buck on the back of it. I am glad they were asked to comment - they need to be brought to book more often - most of the time it's the councils who get the blame and half of the time it is not their fault.
2007-10-12 18:51:15 · answer #9 · answered by sicoll007 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well its not so much the lights that are the problem... i was actually attacked by the angel at the top of the tree... yes yes its true... i just didnt see that bauble coming when suddenly SMACK! right in the kisser!
HA HA HA!!! i love the pc brigade! they're so stupid!!! the thing that really pisses me off is that they hardly ever call them christmas lights now, because that could be considered us excluding muslims jews and other faiths... wtf???? have never ever met a muslim, jew, hindu or fecking jedi that is offended by my calling the pretty lights CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!!!
2007-10-13 03:37:08 · answer #10 · answered by dom c 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋