Christmas is a very special time of year, but unfortunately also one of the deadliest. In all the excitement and anticipation of the big day, there is a much higher potential for injury because of the unique activities we get up to at this time.

In fact, Christmas is statistically the worst time of the year for accidents of all types. There are a few in particular that present at emergency departments in December.

Some of the Most Common Injuries at Christmas time

All of these are actual injuries reported in emergency departments that peak at Christmas time:

Many of these are avoidable and there are a few obvious precautions to take so you don’t end up victim to any of these accidents. Not using scissors or knives to open gifts is one, hanging decorations lower to the ground is another. Ensure all electrical equipment is not old and deteriorated, which is common after years of use, will reduce the risk of electric shock and fires.

However, should an incident occur, we have prepared a quick overview of some of the most common First Aid treatments.

Lacerations from Opening Gifts and Broken Baubles

• Clean the wound thoroughly with sterile gauze soaked in saline
• Apply firm and direct pressure
• Apply a non-adherent dressing to the wound

Choking on Food

• Ask the casualty to cough
• Call 000 if coughing doesn’t help
• Give 5 back blows, checking if the obstruction has been relieved in between each blow
• If unsuccessful, give 5 chest thrusts

Burns From Candles or Lights

• Run the burnt area under cool running water for20 minutes
• Cover the burn with a non-adherent dressing or plastic wrap

In addition, we all know the stress of planning and shopping for a Christmas extravaganza with relatives can lead to distraction, which creates the opportunity to miss safety steps and rush to save time. This, unfortunately, can cause anything from a road traffic accident to cuts while preparing a feast for a crowd. Saying no to too many events and lowering expectations of yourself so that you’re not trying too hard to impress the relatives can make for a happier and safer Christmas period.

With so many possible injuries at this time, it’s a good reminder to make sure you’re up to date in your First Aid training. Anything extra you can do to keep you and your loved ones safe is better than any Christmas gift.