Seven hidden dangers that come at Christmas time and how to avoid them
Christmas should be a time of celebration – not injury. But as many will attest, the very pressure to host the perfect event can leave us feeling anxious.
Now, the UK-based personal injury company National Accident Helpline (NAH) has commissioned new research into the seasonal stress or "festive fear" many of us experience as Christmas Day approaches, and the injuries suffered as we are a little too hasty with some of our preparations.
Of the 2,000 people surveyed, 1 in 4 (27 per cent) reported feeling more stressed than usual during the festive period, rising to nearly a third (32 per cent) among women. The pressure to cook and host appeared to be the biggest stress factors, with more than 13% and only 6% of men feeling worried when cooking.
And almost 1 in 5 people (18 per cent) find a busy home overwhelming. Amidst the excited bustle, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men (12 [per cent) said they are more likely to do things in a rush.
Despite the scary statistic that more than 80,000 people need hospital treatment for injuries such as falls, cuts, and burns during the festive period, Christmas accidents are too quickly shrugged off. With this in mind, here are some of our top tips for staying safe over the festive season.
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Electrical and fire safety at Christmas
Christmas lights and open fires can help to bring in the festive spirit – but can also become health and safety hazards if not properly managed.
According to the NAH, more than 1 in 40 (2.7) people have suffered an electric shock due to badly wired Christmas lights and 600,000 have scalded themselves roasting chestnuts over an open fire.
Check fairy lights and any other electrically powered Christmas decorations over before stringing them up. If you see frayed cables or damaged fittings, dispose of them immediately.
Only use lights designed for external use outside – and keep plugs and transformers indoors. Make sure you switch all lights and electrical decorations off at night and when you go out – don't leave them unattended for a long period of time. In the same vein, blow out candles before going to bed. Tea lights in particular need to be in suitable containers, as otherwise they risk setting fire to whatever's underneath.
Electricity and water don't mix, so always unplug lights before watering the Christmas tree. Keep Christmas cards and decorations far away from lights, heaters and fires.
Avoiding slips, falls and injuries
The NAH's study also revealed that 2.6 million people have fallen off a stool while hanging up decorations, a finding corroborated by figures from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) which show that around 1,000 people are injured every year by their Christmas tree usually as a result of trying to fix decorations to the higher branches.
If you can, invest in a proper stepladder rather than rely on chairs, stools and sofas – many of which aren't designed to be stood on.
And if you need to get something from the loft, have someone on hand to pass boxes down to, as one rogue wobble could send you flying.
When it comes to opening presents, use proper scissors. Keep on top of clutter and discarded gift wrappings, as messy rooms – think toys, debris, and trailing wires – can easily lead to slips and trips, in particular for elderly relatives.
Christmas food and drink safety
Food poisoning spoils the Christmas fun and is all too easy to do with a poorly defrosted or undercooked turkey. Check defrosting and cooking times carefully, well ahead of the day – and don't take something out of the oven early just because you're behind on schedule.
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Cover and refrigerate anything which could spoil, ideally within an hour of bringing it out of the fridge.
Always bear in mind that food takes longer to cook in full ovens, so consider adding a little extra to cooking times when this is the case.
Visitors may offer to help, but if the chef is dealing with hot ovens and sharp knives, it's best to keep them out of the way.
Watch your alcohol consumption, such as by alternating between alcohol and soft drinks or giving yourself (and your liver) a day's break from alcohol if you went heavy the day before.
Ironically, the stress of making Christmas perfect can lead to other problems (Getty Images)Children having accidents
Children are accident-prone at Christmas, what with all the excitement and novelty.
Be wary of choking hazards, particularly in the form of Christmas decorations and toys from crackers – the latter don't need to comply with the strict rules governing the sale of toys for use by children. Keep small and fragile items well out of reach.
Holly and mistletoe may be beautiful, but they are also poisonous. A dose of 20 holly berries could be fatal for a child – so keep them out of reach.
Make sure you keep track of where children are at all times, such as by nominating an adult to keep an eye on them. Portable safety equipment like stair gates may be useful for managing young children.
Ice and snow
As the cold weather creeps in, it is important to be vigilant and not ignore weather warnings. If they care about your safety, family and friends will understand why you need to reschedule plans to avoid travelling on icy, snowy roads.
Keep your pathways and drive clear of snow and ice, such as by investing in a large bag of rock salt – chances are you won't need it, but it's always useful to have a stash on hand.
Don't use boiling water to melt ice as it will only refreeze and make surfaces even more slippery.
Always wear appropriate footwear with soles that grip the pavement. Substance matters more than style here, and you can always carry party shoes in a separate bag.
If you're lucky enough to have found snow, beware of sledging on steep or uneven ground, or toward trees and other solid objects. Make sure you – or your children – have a clear path.
Christmas driving
Driving in busy Christmas traffic can be not only stressful, but dangerous. Try to avoid busy times if you can – set off earlier in the morning or later in the evening.
Consult online traffic guides before setting off on your journey: Google Maps provides live traffic information and the Highways Agency records planned motorway roadworks.
And be mindful of drinks consumed the night before. Allow at least an hour for every unit consumed before you set off anywhere.
Christmas shopping
Carrying lots of presents can place strain on your back, so take a pitstop to drop bags off at the car halfway through the day – don't attempt to do it all in one go. A rucksack is your safest bet for spreading the load and keeping hands free.
It isn't hard to lose young children in a busy shopping centre. Keep them close, but take other precautions like giving them a note with your name and mobile phone number in case they do get separated from you.
And stay calm – stress is often what leads to accidents! If you're overwhelmed by in-person shopping, there's always online, and remember that you don't need to give everyone the perfect gift.
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