Tips To Avoid Holiday Mishaps

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Everyone is gathering with family and friends for Christmas celebrations throughout the world. However, the Christmas season can be filled with its own dangers and mishaps that may put a dent in the celebrations. Here are some tips and tricks to avoid an unnecessary holiday mishap this Christmas season.

The holidays can be a merry time with friends and family, but many of our traditions and celebrations can go horribly wrong in a hurry. Experts have some general holiday rules to keep yourself and those you love safe. Always keep poisonous plants like mistletoe, poinsettias, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry, and amaryllis away from humans and animals. If eaten, these plants can cause skin irritation and gastrointestinal distress. Call poison control if you suspect the plants have been eaten by animals or small children.

Also watch out when tinkering with electrical sockets and extension cords. If not properly handled these can result in dangerous shocks. Avoid with ground fault interrupter and never attach more than three strands of lights into one extension cord. You can avoid decorating mishaps with ladders by having someone hold the ladder and spot you. It is also a good idea to stay on the center rung of the ladder when you stand on it. Make sure to position the ladder so you don’t have to lean or reach too far from it to the decorations.

Experts report that holiday injuries are much more common that we might think. In 2010, more than 13,000 people were treated in the hospital emergency room due to holiday-related accidents, according to the United States Safety Commission. One of the most common holiday injuries comes from fires. Fires can occur anywhere in the home, from the Christmas tree to the kitchen.

When cooking, avoid distractions and urgency. Do not leave towels and oven mitts near heat sources and always turn the stove off before leaving the room. Christmas trees are the most common source of holiday fires. If you are thinking about buying a live Christmas tree there are several things you should check before bringing it home to avoid it being a fire hazard. Check the freshness of the tree – it should be green not brown. Check the needles, as they should not fall off easily, and always place the tree away from heat sources like vents and fireplaces.

Make sure artificial Christmas trees have a fire resistant label. If you are going to be using candles during your Christmas celebrations, consider using fake ones for households with small children and pets. If you are using real candles, make sure you extinguish them before you leave the room.

Presents can also be another holiday mishap waiting to happen. Avoid extreme surprise presents, and be aware that presents with wheels (bikes, motorcycles) are the most dangerous. Wear the proper safety gear with these gifts to avoid head and spinal injuries. Also, if you are giving the gift of a gun or a knife, be aware that these are sometimes the most dangerous presents, should an accident occur. Use caution with these gifts to protect yourself and those around you, and to enjoy them accordingly

Food is also another source to be aware of this holiday season. As with every occasion, if alcohol is being served please drink responsibly and have a safety plan in place to get home. Also, be aware of the foods you and your family are eating. Anaphylactic shock (a severe allergic reaction that is often life threatening) is one of the most common ER visits this holiday season. When serving food please be aware that it is both cooked and served properly. Keep these safety tips in mind to keep your Christmas season merry and bright!