Most Common Christmas Injuries and How to Prevent Them
The holiday season often brings an increase in injuries and accidents as people rush around decorating, shopping, cooking and celebrating, with around 160 injuries from decorating alone during the festive season. Being aware of the most common Christmas mishaps and taking some simple precautions can help ensure your holidays are filled with joy, not trips to the ER.
Falls and Slips: The Most Common Injuries According to Lawyers
According to Mathew Minner, considered one of the best Bowling Green attorneys, slips and falls are one of the top causes of Christmas injuries. Suppose you slip outdoors or in a store. In that case, you can always contact a lawyer for advice, but bear in mind that icy sidewalks, wet floors from snowy boots, cluttered walkways, and ladder accidents while hanging lights and decorations all contribute to an increase in falls this time of year. 500,000 people end up being injured from ladder falls each year; make sure you’re not one of them!
To prevent slips and falls:
- Wear boots or shoes with good traction and avoid walking on icy patches if possible
- Keep walkways and stairs clear of clutter and wipe up wet floors and spills quickly
- Use a sturdy stepladder and have someone spot you when hanging decorations
- Place candles out of high traffic areas and mop up any melted wax quickly
- Rearrange furniture to clear pathways and ensure cords do not trail across walking areas
- Consider installing handrails on exterior steps and additional lighting outdoors
- Put a non-slip mat or rug by entrance doors to help remove snow and water from shoes
- Apply ice melt frequently on sidewalks and driveways when snow starts to accumulate
Avoid Kitchen Burns and Cuts While Cooking
Christmas means lots of delicious food and baked goods, but all that time in the kitchen also increases the risk of burns and cuts. Rushing while cooking, deep frying turkeys, leaving hot pans unattended, and increased use of knives can lead to painful injuries. In 2021, 135 people died in accidental kitchen fires, and home cooking infernos caused more than $494 million in property damage and loss.
You can avoid kitchen mishaps by:
- Keeping a fire extinguisher handy in case of stove or oven fires
- Keeping kids out of the kitchen while cooking and baking
- Not leaving food or pans unattended on the stove
- Wearing short sleeves while cooking
- Ensuring turkey is completely thawed and dried before deep frying
- Using knife-resistant gloves when chopping
- Keeping a well-stocked first aid kit in the kitchen
- Turning pot and pan handles inwards on the stove
- Letting hot dishes cool before removing from oven
Tips to Avoid Holiday Decorating Injuries
Putting up Christmas lights, decorations and the tree all come with safety risks. Electrocution from faulty lights, eye injuries from damaged ornaments, and ladder falls are common this time of year.
Play it safe when decorating by:
- Checking lights for exposed or frayed wires before using
- Placing breakable ornaments high up or out of reach of kids and pets
- Securing your tree so it won’t tip over
- Asking for help when carrying large, heavy decorations
- Letting kids decorate soft, non-breakable ornaments only
- Wearing safety goggles when cutting wires or trees
- Reading and following all instructions for holiday lights
- Making sure outdoor lights are rated for exterior use
- Not overloading electrical sockets with too many strands of lights
The holidays can quickly go from merry to scary with a trip to the ER. Keeping these common risks and prevention tips in mind will help ensure your season is filled with Christmas cheer, not injury and illness. Taking a few simple precautions can protect your family and make for a safe, happy holiday season.