The holiday season is upon us! While this season brings joy and happiness, it is also a hotspot for easily preventable injuries. Take a look at these common holiday injuries and how you can keep yourself and your family safe this holiday season.
Be Aware of Safety and Age Ratings on Toys
A report from CPSC found that in 2021 there were more than 152,000 toy-related injuries to children under age 15, often due to choking on small pieces or an unsafe sleeping environment.
All of these injuries could have been prevented by parents and caregivers being aware of safety and age ratings on the toys. So, when you go holiday shopping, be careful with what you buy! Plus, when your children get a gift, review it carefully before allowing them to play with it, and make sure to dispose of all packaging immediately.
Never Leave Cooking Unattended
Cooking fires remain the #1 cause of residential fires. CPSC data show that there are about 360,300 home fires per year; an estimated 165,600 are cooking fires.
While it can be easy to get distracted while cooking, you should always make it a priority and a known fact in the household never to leave cooking unattended, such as stoves or fryers.
Remove Potential Tripping Hazards
Holidays can be pure chaos! Extra cords are lying around, furniture is moved into random places, and a crazy number of toys are littering the ground. All of these increase the potential for tripping, leading to broken bones, concussions, and pulled muscles.
To prevent this unnecessary accident, do regular sweeps throughout the home to remove potential tripping hazards. You will especially want to do this when decorating with ladders or if elderly or fragile individuals with limited mobility are about to visit!
Take Preventive Action Against Potential Fire Risks
The holiday season is a joyous time of glittering lights and warm moments by the fire, but what is masked by holiday cheer is an exponential increase in fire hazards. Candles, overloaded electrical outlets, and personal heaters too close to flammable objects can often lead to deadly flames. The same goes for dry debris in gutters or Christmas trees with too-hot lights going up in flames.
To decrease the potential for fires in your home, you should:
- Never overload electrical outlets
- Never places candles or lights next to dry items or décor
- Never leave space heaters close to flammable objects or on for too long
- Keep your live décor watered
Take Caution When Lifting Heavy Items
While it may be tempting to be Santa’s helper by lifting the big bag of presents or boxes full of holiday décor, the potential to strain the back and neck is high.
We recommend carefully picking up heavy items, and always lifting properly with the legs rather than the back. If the item is too heavy, ask someone capable to lift it for you. In addition, be careful not to sit in awkward or straining positions for too long, such as online holiday shopping from the couch or on the floor opening presents.
First Care is Here to Help
If you do hurt or strain yourself this holiday season, First Care is here to help. Unless you are experiencing an emergency situation where you should call 911 or visit an Emergency Room, we can help you with minor injuries and common illnesses. Hundreds of times every week, our friends and neighbors in Anchorage have a medical issue that requires immediate attention. If they can’t wait until a primary care physician can fit them in, and they don’t want an endless wait or the cost of the nearest emergency room, that’s when Alaskans and visitors head to First Care Medical Centers in Anchorage.
