The holiday season is supposed to be full of joy, lights, food, and family. But according to a new survey, it is also prime time for unplanned trips to the emergency room. And no, it is not just from sneaking raw cookie dough out of the bowl.
The survey found that 30% of Americans have been injured during holiday-related activities at some point. Sometimes it was minor, sometimes it was serious enough to require medical attention. Either way, nearly one in three people has a holiday horror story that probably started with, “I thought this would only take a second.”
The most common injuries come from surprisingly everyday moments.
Thirteen percent of people say they have cut themselves while wrapping or opening presents, which means scissors and aggressive gift wrap are a bigger threat than we give them credit for. Eleven percent have slipped or tripped outdoors, likely thanks to icy sidewalks, wet leaves, or rushing to the car with armloads of stuff.
Holiday cooking is another danger zone. Ten percent of people say they were injured in the kitchen, which tracks for anyone who has tried to cook a full holiday meal while multitasking and answering questions. Candles are also a problem, with 6% reporting burns. Another 6% say they tripped over holiday-related objects, which is a polite way of saying décor was everywhere.
Then there are the decorating injuries that feel almost inevitable.
Four percent of people have fallen from a ladder, another 4% were hurt while standing on furniture to hang decorations, and 3% were injured while putting lights or decorations on the roof. Add in the 3% who were injured by “a new toy,” and suddenly the holidays start to sound like an obstacle course.
Alcohol plays a role too. Twelve percent of those who were injured admit they were intoxicated at the time, which may explain at least some of the ladder and furniture decisions.
Fire safety also comes into play when it comes to holiday lights.
Thirty-eight percent of people leave both indoor and outdoor holiday lights on overnight. Another 24% leave only outdoor lights on, while 16% leave indoor lights glowing, like a Christmas tree. Only 22% say they turn everything off before bed, which is the safest option.
That matters because many of us are using older decorations. Twenty-seven percent say their oldest holiday lights are at least five years old, and 13% say they are seven years old or more. Older lights plus overnight power is not a great combo.
The holidays are supposed to be festive, not dangerous. So maybe this year, step off the chair, double-check the ladder, blow out the candles, and turn the lights off before bed. The ER does not need any more holiday decorations.