Christmas is a time to catch up with family and friends. But in the excitement of the festivities, accidents can happen. Here are some ways you can avoid having any Christmas-related injuries this year.
If you have children, make sure to be aware of the risks posed by:
- Decorations and berries (for instance, holly or mistletoe berries) – these can present a choking hazard, especially to smaller children
- Small batteries (such as those found in watches or weighing scales) – if swallowed by accident, these can cause serious damage to the gastrointestinal system
- New toys – make sure to supervise children with their new toys, especially those that are more likely to cause injuries like bikes or trampoline sets
As well as looking out for your children’s safety at Christmas, it’s important to bear in mind the potential dangers for adults, too. Make sure to be mindful of:
- Fire safety
Make sure that no lights or candles are left on overnight. This is one of the main causes of fires over the Christmas period. You should also try to give yourself plenty of time to cook on Christmas Day as rushing could lead to fire-related accidents. - Tripping hazards
Secure or tape down any wires or cables that people could trip over – such as Christmas light cords. Try to organise toys and presents in storage boxes or in a safe pile towards the edge of the room so that they’re not obstructing anyone’s path. - Wrapping incidents
This might sound silly, but wrapping presents quickly could result in mild or severe cuts. Although it’s tempting, try not to rush when wrapping your gifts, and make sure to leave the scissors behind if you need to run to go and get something!
Of course, you won’t want to spend all of Christmas Day worrying, and it’s important that you have fun! But by knowing the potential risks, you’ll be better placed to prepare yourself for the big day and keep everyone safe.
