Watch out for these 12 Christmas injury risks

You better pay attention. You better not cry. You better not pout. I’ll tell you why. Causes of accidents can come to town. May Christmas 2024 bring you joy, peace and gifts. But like any other December 25, it can bring with it the risk of Christmas injuries that, let’s say, aren’t present the rest of the year.

Here are twelve, one for each Christmas Day:

1. Christmas decorations

Yes, that extended view of Snoopy and Rudolph fighting the Peloponnesian War on your roof can be cool. But what happens if it falls on someone? And it might be great that you somehow managed to get 2,173,341 decorations on your Christmas tree. But what if someone swallows some or injures a foot while stepping on them?

Therefore, make sure that all decorations are secure before leaving them behind. Avoid decorations with very sharp edges or that can easily catch fire. Keep people who swallow things without thinking – like young children or your sorority sisters – away from small decorations.

Hanging up the decorations can also be dangerous. Try not to reach into places that might throw you off balance. Use appropriate equipment, such as sturdy steps or ladders. Find someone strong enough to support you, and no, this isn’t your one-year-old baby or that grandparent who needs a walker to stand.

2. Candles, fireplaces, stoves, ovens and other potential fire sources

Chestnuts may not be the only thing roasted on an open fire. Christmas combines many potential fire sources with many flammable things such as Christmas trees, gift wrapping, stockings, alcohol and you. Keep these two things as separate as possible and make sure that all fireplaces, candles and electrical appliances you use are working properly, have been thoroughly inspected and have no defects such as frayed wires. Double check that things are turned off when not in use.

3. Packaging and gift wrapping

It’s a shawl. Gift wrapping can also be dangerous. Not only can it catch fire, it can also pose a choking, choking and strangulation hazard. Once you have unwrapped your gifts, safely wrap or dispose of any potentially hazardous materials as quickly as possible.

4. Toys

Just because something is called a toy and marketed for use by children does not mean it has been adequately tested and is completely safe for children or adults. Anything that can be swallowed can pose a choking hazard. Anything that has sharp edges can cut through body tissue. Anything heavy can fall on toes, legs, hands, arms, neck or head. Before anyone uses a toy, make sure he or she knows the potential dangers.

5. Batteries

Many things you can get and use during the Christmas holidays can be battery powered, including items, children’s toys and, ahem, adult toys. Batteries typically contain dangerous, corrosive, toxic chemicals. So quickly throw away any batteries that seem to be leaking. Keep small batteries, such as lithium batteries, which can be easily swallowed, away from young children and food.

6. Alcohol

Surprise, surprise, people drink alcohol during the holidays. And drinking any type of alcohol, in any way, in an intemperate manner can pose more than just a risk. The risks can range from mood swings to alcohol poisoning and drunken accidents. Keep alcohol away from anyone who shouldn’t even be drinking the stuff, like your small children. Monitor everyone’s alcohol consumption. Someone who protests and says, “Don’t worry, I can handle my alcohol,” is reason enough to worry that things are getting out of hand.

7. Holiday foods

Salmonella. There you go again. My, my, how can people resist you? Over the years I have covered Forbes many different foodborne outbreaks Salmonella and other microbes. And oh, Mamma Mia, food poisoning can be a risk with holiday meals, especially when it comes to things like turkey that people aren’t used to cooking the rest of the year. Food allergies can also be a problem.

But don’t forget that food can also pose injury risks. Foods may contain nuts, dried fruit pieces, bones, and other small or sharp objects that can cause choking or gastrointestinal tissue damage. However, before you think that it is not a fruitcake to avoid the risks of food injuries with substantial food and serve everyone only porridge, keep in mind that a little caution can make a big difference. Make sure the cooking duties are organized and don’t resemble a rugby match in the kitchen. If you are going to have help in the kitchen, make sure everyone is well informed and supervised so they don’t accidentally put something risky in the food. Inspect the food before serving and eating it.

And when you eat something, pay attention to what you eat. Don’t get distracted. Chew your food carefully instead of thinking, “Damn, why did Bill send me this fruitcake,” as you plot a response with every ounce of your attention.

8. Kitchen items

Speaking of keeping the kitchen organized, the kitchen can seem like an obstacle course for ninja warriors, full of things that can hurt people in different ways. Now people might know not to do things like stick their heads in the blender. You could say their heads are too big for that. But you’d be surprised at the immature things people do with various kitchen items, such as using knives or spatulas to launch butter packets so they stick to the ceiling. As a result, seemingly innocuous objects can quickly turn into dangerous weapons. Heck, even a baguette can do serious damage if you swing it like Shohei Ohtani would a bat.

9. People and other animals

Newsflash. People can do stupid things. This also applies to other animals such as dogs and cats. The jury is still out on who could be dumber. But at least the injury can result. As I have written Forbes Historically, the winter holidays can be a particularly stressful and challenging time for many. All of this can lead to even more careless behavior than the rest of the year, which in turn can put everyone else in greater danger. Therefore, pay attention to any warning signs, such as increased anxiety or discussions that are likely to turn into arguments, and end them as quickly as possible.

10. Travel

Many people travel for the holidays. The combination of navigating unfamiliar places and things like stress and alcohol in different people’s bodies can increase the risk of accidents. Therefore, take your environment into account. Don’t drink or drive. Be careful around hazards such as stairs and train tracks. Put down your damn smartphone. You don’t need to know what’s happening with the Kardashians at all times.

11. Snow and cold weather

Be aware of ice, snow or snow-covered surfaces and clear them away as quickly as possible. Otherwise, you may avoid injury and slip. Additionally, the cold and dry weather can cause your skin to become drier and more susceptible to damage. Therefore, keep your skin well hydrated.

12. Sex

Christmas can make you want to put a partridge in a pear tree, or whatever euphemism you use for the word sex. But be careful not to be too overzealous on a sleigh ride for two. It can lead to injuries and not the kind of vacation you want. Speaking of breaks, look at what I wrote about penis fractures during Ring-a-ling-a-ding-dong-ding season. A German study published in the British Journal of Urology International (BJUI) found that the number of penile fractures around Christmas Day was 43% higher than on any other day of the year. A penile fracture is actually a tearing of tissue in the penis rather than an actual fracture because there are no bones in your penis, regardless of what you might call an erection. It’s also not the only injury that can occur when sex is too vigorous or a little off. Therefore, before you start swinging around the Christmas tree in any way, remember what the Pointer Sisters sang about a slow hand and an easy touch.

If you want to make this the most wonderful time of the year, do what you can to prevent Christmas injuries. Make a list. Check it twice. You have to find out. What around you will be naughty or nice. Don’t let the causes of accidents come to town.