Is your yard safe for xmas gatherings - reduce your risk of being sued
Announcement posted by Invigorate PR 19 Dec 2025
As Australians prepare for Christmas celebrations, backyard barbecues and family gatherings, Jim Penman and his team are urging households to take simple steps to make their outdoor areas safe. Each year, preventable falls and injuries spike during the festive season, particularly among older family members, young children and visiting relatives who are unfamiliar with the space.
Founder of Jim's Group, Jim Penman, said these incidents are both common and avoidable. Head of Jim's Mowing division, Dan Cahill, explained that many accidents around the home take place over the festive season when family and friends come to visit.
"Every Christmas we see the same pattern," Cahill said.
"Older Aussies lose their balance on uneven paths, children take a tumble on slippery grass and guests trip on things the homeowner hasn't thought about for years."
Why Christmas gatherings increase risk
The combination of excitement, movement and higher foot traffic makes outdoor areas more dangerous than usual.
"People are distracted, kids are running around and visitors aren't familiar with the layout of your yard," Cahill said.
"A perfectly normal backyard can quickly become an accident zone because no one is paying attention to the hazards."
He said injuries often happen during ordinary moments: carrying food outside, walking across the lawn, stepping off a deck or moving between seating areas.
"Falls don't happen because someone is being reckless," he added.
"They happen because something minor goes unnoticed, an uneven step, a loose brick or a slippery patch on the deck."
The hidden dangers in Australian backyards
Cahill said it is common for homeowners to become blind to risks in their own space.
"When you walk through your yard every day, you stop noticing what could go wrong," he said.
"But when grandparents or toddlers visit, everything changes. A loose paver, a wobbling pot or a low branch can instantly become an emergency."
According to Jim's franchisees, Christmas injuries often stem from the same types of hazards.
"We hear about people falling down outdoor steps because the lighting is poor," Cahill said.
"We see visitors tripping where the ground dips slightly, or a heavy pot tipping over when someone brushes past it. Even a small branch falling at the wrong moment can send someone to hospital."
How to prepare your backyard before guests arrive
Cahill urged families to take a quick walk through their outdoor areas in the days leading up to Christmas.
"Walk through your yard as if you're seeing it for the first time," Cahill said.
"If something looks uneven, unstable or cluttered, fix it now. It's simple and it could prevent someone from getting hurt."
Small changes have a big impact.
"Clearing pathways of toys, hoses and garden tools makes an enormous difference," Cahill said.
"So does checking that outdoor chairs aren't wobbly, pots aren't able to fall over and steps aren't loose or slippery."
Lighting is another critical element.
"Christmas gatherings often continue after sunset, and poor lighting is one of the biggest contributors to falls," he said.
"A few solar lights or lanterns can make your backyard dramatically safer."
Slippery surfaces are a major hazard.
"A wet deck can be as dangerous as black ice," he said.
"Just sweeping, drying or giving it a quick clean can prevent a serious fall."
Protecting older Australians and young children
Cahill said two groups are particularly vulnerable: seniors and kids.
"Older Australians can injure themselves very easily, especially if they trip or lose their balance," he said.
"And kids get excited and run around without noticing hazards."
He added that hosting elderly parents or very young children means thinking differently about safety.
"You might walk confidently across uneven ground, but someone with limited mobility might stumble immediately," he said.
"It's about seeing your home through their eyes."
Cahill believes safety should be embedded into holiday planning.
"Christmas should be a time of joy, not a time of avoidable accidents," he said.
"Just fifteen minutes of preparation can prevent pain, distress and months of recovery."
He said adding a safety check to holiday traditions is a simple way to protect loved ones.
"Australians love celebrating Christmas outside, it's part of our culture. But safety needs to be part of the culture too. Protecting your family is the most meaningful gift you can give."
About Jim's Group
Jim's Group was founded by Jim Penman in 1989 and now has some 5,550 franchisees in more than 50 divisions. It is the largest franchise chain in the Southern Hemisphere.