It may not sound very joyful but they’re just a few of the festive hazards that could be unwanted gifts of the season.
Rushing around and trying to cram too much in too little time, can be a risky recipe for a series of mishaps rather than an exciting build-up to a peaceful celebration.
Over the 12 days of Christmas quite a few people will be involved in accidents in their homes. Many of those will happen in the kitchen during the food preparations, or while putting up the decorations.
So as the Big Day approaches, as well as dusting off decorations, untangling fairy lights and finding the perfect tree, get wise to the perils of the season so you either avoid them or know what to do if they occur.
It’s very common to get a minor burn or injury around the home, especially at Christmas, but many people don’t take them as seriously as they should, and unfortunately few know how to treat the damaged area properly.
Worryingly, even though a lot of people like to think they are a dab hand at basic first aid, a third don’t even own a first aid kit and others don’t bother to check whether it’s properly equipped.
While quite a few of us forget to put on oven gloves before handling hot oven dishes and suffer burns, others are ignorant of the correct treatment.
No surprises then that half of us still bear the seasonal scars long into the New Year following domestic injuries at Christmas.
We chart the 12 pains and perils of the festive season and give guidance to ensure the season is merry rather than marred by mishap or ailments.
12 STEPS TO FALL OFF
Falling off a stepladder while putting up Christmas decorations sounds like an obvious hazard but it’s one of the most common accidents.
Many people end up in the emergency department in hospital after using a faulty stepladder, reaching too far to get that last bit of tinsel or the fairy onto the top of the tree.
Check steps aren’t faulty, ensure they’re placed on an even surface, and get someone to hold them steady as you climb.
11 FLAMING PUDDINGS
One in 10 people manage to burn themselves while attempting to flambé or blowtorch their Christmas puddings. Be careful just how much alcohol you use on your pudding. If the worst should happen, let cold water from the tap run over the wound for 10 to 15 minutes and cover with clingfilm to keep it clean. If it’s more than a minor burn or scald – if it’s larger than a postage stamp or has penetrated beyond the first layer of skin or it starts to blister – you should always seek medical advice.
10 NASTY TUMBLES
Tripping over because of excitable pets, the children’s remote-controlled presents or slipping on cast-aside wrapping paper is highly likely, especially after a few drinks. Keep accidents to a minimum by removing any old wrapping paper from the floor and placing unopened presents out of the way.
Treat a sore bruised muscle area with a cold compress to bring out the bruising. Relieve pain by taking an over-the-counter pain killer. If a joint is swollen, use the RICE technique: Rest: keep the limb/joint supported; Ice: apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables covered in a thin cloth; Compression: wrap a bandage around it; Elevation: keep the limb raised.
If it’s incredibly painful, or you can’t put weight on it, you should consider seeking medical advice, although in most cases the soreness will subside fairly quickly.
NINE EXPOSED WIRES
Every year we all get the same fairy lights out of the attic, spend hours de-tangling them and think that they’re as good as new.
Old lights should be carefully checked for loose, frayed or bare wires, broken bulbs and cracked plugs. If they’re looking shabby, buy some new ones.
Candles should not be anywhere near the tree, and ideally should be kept in containers such as jars or secure holders. Do not leave unattended or allow pets or children near them.
EIGHT POUNDING HANGOVERS
Alcohol is a diuretic, which can lead to dehydration. Alternate each alcoholic drink with a glass of water, and drink plenty of water before going to bed.
Natural remedies may also help.
When the alcohol forces fluid out of the body, the body also loses a lot of potassium needed to keep the body fluid balanced. Bananas are an excellent source of this mineral, while dandelion, which can be drunk as a tea, can also help replace potassium.
SEVEN RAGING HEADACHES
Coping with the stress of creating the perfect Christmas (and dealing with the relatives!) can trigger stress headaches or those pesky cold and flu viruses.
Also over a holiday people who are used to drinking constant coffees at work may not drink as much, and suddenly experience caffeine withdrawal that can trigger headaches. Drink plenty of water – as dehydration is a common cause of a pounding head, while herbal teas like camomile can be soothing and aid sleep. And don’t forget to delegate jobs to other people – don’t try to run the whole celebration yourself!
SIX TROUBLED TUMMIES
At Christmas people prepare food for more people than usual, cook things they don’t often cook and have to store mountains of extra food – all of this has food safety implications. Nearly a quarter of food poisoning outbreaks at this time of year are linked to poultry.
Here’s a safety tips: cook bird and stuffing separately; don’t wash the turkey before cooking as this can splash harmful bacteria around the kitchen; defrost your turkey in the fridge or at room temperature allowing one hour per 450g and make sure it’s covered and doesn’t touch other food.
FIVE GRAZED KNUCKLES
Opening the presents is a highlight of Christmas day but using sharp scissors, penknives or even keys to get into the parcel can result in cut fingers, grazed knuckles and potential tears.
Present opening as well as children falling while trying out new toys such as scooters are both common types of seasonal mishaps. Doctors advise cleaning an affected area with cool water and then applying an antiseptic cream, and covering with a sterile dressing or plaster.
But if it looks as though something may be embedded in a cut or graze, like glass or gravel, or you can’t stop the bleeding, seek medical advice.
FOUR COURSE INDIGESTION
Large portions and rich meals can add up to a troubling dose of indigestion.
Its medical name is dyspepsia, encompassing a collection of symptoms including a pain in the chest, often called heartburn, as well as bloating or burping (wind).
Rest your stomach by not eating when you feel like this. Antacids can be effective, or drinking a glass of milk to settle the tummy. Also ensure your waistband is not too tight when you eat, and don’t bend over or lie down straight after a meal.
Sometimes people mistake pain from heart disease or angina for indigestion. If you get a severe pain in the chest over a period, sometimes but not always accompanied by pain in the arm, you should call an ambulance as it may be a sign of a heart attack.
THREE BURNT FINGERS AND HEAD!
In a quest for sleek and straight party locks, women accidentally burn themselves with their hair straighteners while getting ready to go out at Christmas. One in 20 women burn themselves on the scalp, forehead or behind their ears, another 43 per cent get burns on their arms or hands, and half will still have unsightly scars beyond the New Year.
TWO COLDS AND ONE FLU
Prevention is better than cure. It’s worth taking herbal remedies such as echinacea to help ward off colds and flu. Research has shown that echinacea decreases the odds of developing a cold by 58 per cent and the duration of colds by a day-and-a-half.
ONE ESSENTIAL PRESENT
A lot of households don’t own a first aid kit and are unaware of even basic techniques. So brush up on your first aid skills and make sure you have a fully stocked first aid kit.