The holiday season can be a great opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends. On the other hand, it’s also one of the most dangerous times of the year.
Below you’ll find 5 common holiday injuries encountered by many during the festive holiday season. We also included helpful tips on how you can avoid them.
1. Car Accidents
According to this attorney in Las Vegas, being involved in a car accident can change the course of your entire life in seconds. Drunk driving can be prevented. As per usual, don’t drink and drive. Use a transportation service, plan for a designated driver, or stay the night if you must go somewhere after you have indulged in alcoholic beverages.
There is a significant increase in car accidents when the holiday season comes. There are numerous factors why this happens. Usually, it’s attributed to the increased traffic for holiday travel and alcohol-related car crashes.
Prevention:
Try to avoid travelling during peak driving hours and always pay attention to the road. Remember to educate yourself on what you should do in the event of an accident before hitting the road.
Drunk driving can be prevented. As per usual, don’t drink and drive. Use a transportation service, plan for a designated driver, or stay the night if you must go somewhere after you have indulged in alcoholic beverages.
2. Injuries Caused by Toys
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that there were more than 166,000 toy-related, emergency room-treated injuries and deaths in children aged 15 and below last 2018.
Prevention:
Do follow the safety information and age guidance as stated on the toy packaging. For certain playthings, like riding toys or bikes, kids should always don helmets and other appropriate safety gear. Moreover, keep tiny toys, toy components, and all the packaging away from small children who could potentially choke on them.
If your home is filled with toys and you don’t have space to store them, then it’s time to look for a storage unit. You can just type “storage units near me” on Google and you’re sure to find one in no time.
3. Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are some of the most typical injuries during the holiday season. The primary source of residential fires during the holidays is cooking. Ensure that you allow enough time to cook and prepare your dishes.
Prevention:
- Tidy up your cooking area
- Don’t leave your cooking unattended
- Move any potholders or food packaging away from your stove
- Keep your children away from the kitchen/ cooking area
Candles may also cause burn injuries. Get some sturdy candle holders and don’t place them near curtains, decorations, and kids.
4. Christmas Tree Fires
Based on recent statistics, on average, there are 200 decorating-related injuries each day during the holidays. Notably, Christmas trees are one of the most common sources of numerous holiday injuries.
Prevention:
Real trees are exquisite, but they can be highly hazardous when they dry out. Be sure to water it regularly. If you use an artificial tree, then make sure it’s fire-resistant.
To avoid fire, replace your old Christmas lights with brand new ones. Additionally, never leave your lights on when you’re not home or while you are sleeping.
5. Slip and Fall Injuries
Many people suffer from slip and fall injuries during the holidays. Parking lots and sidewalks tend to be slippery due to snow, ice, and rain.
Older family members and teenagers tend to get over-excited and may be injured in impromptu games during family events. Young people injured in sports and recreation usually suffer sprains, strains, broken bones, and head injuries.
Prevention:
Inspect and treat walkways and even sidewalks for debris, snow, and ice. Wearing appropriate shoes for the terrain and weather can also help prevent accidents. Don’t forget to warm up and know your limits as well.
Everyone loves the holiday season and who can blame them? It’s a wonderful time to unwind and reconnect with loved ones. There’s a lot of fun and exciting things to do such as camping, ice skating, or taking a road trip on a charter bus to Mississauga. However, it’s still critical to employ safety measures to avoid accidents and injuries.
