9 Dec 2024

10 Common Christmas Injuries and How to Avoid Them

Decorating the house, preparing delicious meals and enjoying time with loved ones becomes something so many of us look forward to in the run up to December 25^th.

However, whilst Christmas is a time of joy, it also brings with it a surprising number of injuries which you might not even think about when the festivities are in full flow.

Every year, hospitals see an uptick in Christmas related accidents, many of which can be easily avoided with a little extra care.

So, in this blog, we’re covering the most common Christmas injuries that tend to sneak up when we least expect them and offering practical tips to ensure your festive season stays merry and bright!

The quintessential Christmas tradition of decorating the house with twinkling lights can quickly turn dangerous, especially when ladders are involved.

Whether you're up on the roof or balancing precariously on a step ladder, the risk of falling is very real, and can often result in sprained ankles, broken bones, or worse.

Safety tips:

• Use a stable, high-quality ladder and ensure someone is holding it steady for added security
• Make sure the ladder is placed on a level surface
• Avoid stretching too far, and instead, move the ladder to the area you need to reach

The heart of Christmas often revolves around a festive feast, but the kitchen can become a hazard zone when we’re busy preparing multiple dishes, with hot ovens, boiling pots and sharp utensils leading to potential burns, cuts and other kitchen accidents every year.

Safety tips:

• Always wear oven mitts when handling hot cookware
• Keep pot handles turned inward to prevent accidental knocks
• Make sure children and pets are safely away from the kitchen while cooking
• Clean up spills immediately to prevent slip hazards

Icy patches on paths, driveways and roads make winter a prime time for slips and falls, and whether you're carrying heavy shopping bags, running to catch the bus, or simply walking to your car, a quick misstep on icy ground can lead to injuries ranging from mild bruises to serious fractures.

Safety tips:

• Invest in footwear with good grip, especially if you expect to be walking on snow or ice
• Apply salt or sand to icy surfaces around your home and driveway
• Take your time and walk carefully, especially on slick surfaces
• Use handrails when navigating stairs or icy steps

Decorating the house is a big job, and carrying heavy boxes of decorations, Christmas trees, or large gifts can lead to muscle strains and back pain.

Safety tips:

• Bend at the knees and keep your back straight when lifting
• Don’t carry too much at once and be sure to ask for help if you need it
• Use a trolley to move bulky items and avoid overexertion

Who doesn’t love a beautifully lit-up home for Christmas? But when lights and electrical decorations aren’t checked properly, they can pose a serious risk, particularly as frayed wires or overloading sockets can lead to electric shocks or fires.

Safety tips:

• Always inspect lights and extension cords for damage before use
• Replace any old lights with newer LED options to reduce the risk
• Avoid overloading circuits or plugging too many devices into one outlet
• Keep lights away from water sources to prevent short circuits

Gift wrapping is a fun part of Christmas, but rushing through it can result in accidental cuts from scissors, box cutters or even paper edges, with these small injuries adding stress to your celebrations if you're not careful.

Safety tips:

• Always cut away from your body when using scissors or box cutters
• Keep sharp objects like scissors away from children and pets
• Put wrapping tools somewhere safe between uses, out of reach of little ones

Many people take the opportunity to spruce up their gardens with winter-themed decorations or additional outdoor lighting, but lifting heavy items or stretching too far can strain muscles and lead to sprains.

Safety tips:

• Warm up before engaging in any outdoor tasks, especially in cold weather
• Avoid lifting items that are too heavy and ask for help if needed
• Wear proper clothing and gloves to protect your hands and avoid injuries

With so much food on offer during the Christmas period, leftovers are inevitable, but improperly storing or reheating them can lead to foodborne illnesses, causing stomach cramps, vomiting or worse.

Safety tips:

• Store leftovers in the fridge within two hours of serving
• Make sure food is reheated to the right temperature to kill harmful bacteria
• Don’t keep leftovers for more than a few days
• Dispose of anything that’s been sitting in the fridge for too long

The romantic glow of Christmas candles is lovely, but they come with a fire risk if left unattended. Similarly, the kitchen with its multiple hot dishes, is an area that requires extra attention, and a momentary lapse in focus can quickly turn into a holiday disaster.

Safety tips:

• Never leave candles unattended and extinguish them before you leave the room
• Keep candles away from flammable materials like curtains and Christmas trees
• Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and know how to use it
• Keep an eye on your cooking and set timers to remind you to check on things

Though it might seem harmless, decorating the Christmas tree can come with its own set of risks, and whether you're balancing on a chair to hang ornaments or reaching for the top of the tree, it’s easy to strain muscles or fall.

Safety tips:

• If you need to reach high branches, use a sturdy step ladder and avoid balancing on furniture
• Ensure the tree is secure in its stand to prevent it from tipping over
• Be mindful of the space around the tree to avoid tripping over decorations, lights or cords

How Speed Medical can help you stay safe and enjoy the festive season...

While Christmas should be a time for joy and relaxation, accidents can quickly put a damper on things, and following these simple safety tips can help avoid common injuries to keep yourself and your loved ones safe throughout the festive season.

After all, the best gift you can give yourself and your family is good health, and a little extra care will ensure everyone has a happy and injury-free holiday season.

But, should any unfortunate accidents happen over Christmas, Speed Medical is on hand to offer essential support in accessing expert care and rehabilitation services.

For more information, please visit www.speedmedical.com, contact our team via email at info@speedmedical.com or call us directly on 0330 094 8749.