Updated on December 18, 2023.
Airports and shopping centers aren't the only places that tend to fill up around the holidays.
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported 14,800 decorating-related injuries that required treatment in emergency departments (EDs) during the 2022 holiday season. Combine that with the increased incidence of heart attacks around the winter holidays, and it makes sense that EDs are very busy places toward the end of the year.
Here are some of the top holiday health hazards—and ways to avoid them to make sure your holidays are uneventful (in a good way).
Keep your heart happy
Healthcare providers (HCPs) speculate that delaying care “because it’s a holiday” may be one of the reasons we see more deadly heart attacks this time of year. Be mindful of worrisome symptoms now (and any time of year), especially if you have a heart condition. Do the following to minimize any risks:
- Take it easy. The fact is, people can get stressed out around the holidays. A little stress is inevitable, but as much as possible, try to think of the end of the year as a time to relax. Set expectations at a reasonable level, try to keep your to-do list short, and leave the snow shoveling to the kids. Make sure you have social outlets and get enough sleep, as well.
- Don’t stray from your diet. HCPs believe that the added salt and fat in many holiday dishes may put excessive pressure on hearts already susceptible to heart disease.
- Dress warmly. Cold weather is hard on your heart, causing blood vessels to constrict and raising blood pressure. Wear a well-insulated jacket, hat, and gloves whenever you can.
- Pay attention to warning signs. Feeling chest pain, shortness of breath, or any other abnormal symptom? It doesn’t matter what day it is. If you feel the symptoms of a heart attack, don’t delay care and call 911 right away.
Stay well-grounded
Nearly half of decorating-related injuries are the result of falls, according to the CPSC. You might be tempted to deck your roof with the kind of synchronized lights you see on YouTube, but unless you're a professional, it's best to stay on firm ground.
If you insist on heading up a ladder, follow these precautions:
- Make sure the ladder extends three feet over the roofline to minimize risk of sliding.
- Place it on level ground. Have someone hold the bottom steady.
- Stay off the top step.
- Don’t prop the ladder near any doors that can be opened.
Pack smart when you travel
When you go on a trip—even if it’s only for a night or two—make sure to take your prescription medications. People often leave their medications at home around the holidays, only to discover that their return flight is delayed. The result can be that blood pressure, blood sugar, or other conditions become exacerbated after missing several doses.
Take the whole bottle with you when you pack. This way, you don’t run out and there’s no confusion about the type of medication or dosage you need to take. You may also want to check that you have enough refills to get you through the holidays, since medical offices and pharmacies may be closed on certain days.
Be smart with trees
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Christmas tree fires are more likely to be serious and associated with injury or death than many other types of residential fires.
If you have a natural tree indoors, follow these safety tips:
- Keep it well-watered. A dry tree versus a hydrated one may be the difference between a minor event and a dangerous fire.
- Give it space. Keep the tree at least three feet away from fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles, or heat vents.
- Check your cords. Discard any holiday lights with frayed wired or bare spots.
- Go easy on lights. Don’t connect more than three strands of mini lights.
It goes without saying that you should keep the tree—and pretty much everything else—away from candles. A safer bet is using battery-powered LED candles and let them twinkle away all night, worry-free.
