The holiday season can be busy, full of decorating, baking and feasting, shopping, and gathering with friends and family—whether in-person or via a video camera. It’s unlikely you’ll want to add a trip to the hospital to the holiday to-do list.
Unfortunately, the holiday season can also provide many opportunities for accidents and hazards, so it can be tough to steer clear of crowded hospital waiting rooms. To ensure your holiday is safe, Buglino Plastic Surgery has created a list of tips to follow, the most common types of injuries, and how to treat them without going to the hospital.
Most Common Injuries
All the extra time spent in the kitchen near the stove or cutting vegetables, trying out new toys like bicycles or roller skates, and stringing up holiday decor, increases the likelihood of injuries. Here are several of the most common:
Burns
Because the holidays often call for tables full of food, many people spend most of their time in front of the stove and oven. The more dishes you cook, the higher your chances are of experiencing a burn. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), cooking fires are the number one cause of residential fires. Candles are an additional burn hazard everyone should be aware of.
Abrasions & Cuts
According to the CPSC, there are about 200 decorating-related injuries each day during the holiday season, with about half involving falls. These injuries are typically caused by short tumbles from ladders, or trips due to additional clutter, such as chairs or gifts. This can lead to abrasions and cuts that need medical attention as soon as possible. These wounds also arise from carving various meats and veggies for holiday feasts, or playing with new children’s toys.
Preventative Tips
With these injuries in mind, it’s important to understand how to prevent them. Dr. Anthony Buglino offers several safety precautions:
Cooking & Carving
- Don’t leave food unattended on the stove.
- Keep children and flammable items away from the cooking area.
- Keep handles turned toward the back of the stove.
- Don’t wear loose-fitting clothes.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Only fry a turkey outside your home. Always follow the fryer manufacturer’s instructions on how to use it.
- If a pan catches fire, cover it with the lid or spray it with the fire extinguisher. Don’t douse it with water.
- When carving, cut away from yourself.
- Ensure your cutting space and utensils are dry and well lit.
Decorating & Ladders
- Wear footwear that fits securely and has a good grip. Ensure your shoelaces are tied.
- Check the ladder for cracks, broken hinges, or loose screws prior to climbing.
- Ensure the ladder steps are free of ice, liquid, or dirt.
- Place the ladder on a stable surface.
- If you have a real Christmas tree, give it enough water and keep it away from flammable objects.
- Keep candles away from flammable items, and blow them out before exiting a room.
- Double check your lights, sockets, and wires.
- Place breakable ornaments out of reach from children and pets.
Toys
- Follow age requirements and other safety information on the toy packaging.
- If you’re gifting a bicycle, scooter, skateboard, or other outdoor product, include safety gear such as helmets and knee pads.
- Keep objects with small parts away from children.
- Ensure children’s toys aren’t easily breakable or sharp.
How Dr. Buglino Can Help You Treat Holiday Injuries
Dr. Anthony Buglino of Buglino Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery can help you avoid crowded hospitals during the holidays. If you experience a burn, cut, abrasion, facial trauma, laceration, complex wound, or other skin puncture, call Dr. Buglino at (516) 864-0700 immediately. Dr. Buglino can see patients at his Woodbury office or fast-track a hospital visit, so you don’t have to spend hours in a hospital waiting room, missing your family festivities. For more information, check out Dr. Buglino’s laceration division, BooBoosRX.
