The Holiday Season is here, which brings excitement and joy. With the decorations of homes, trees, and many winter activities, it is easy to see why the Holidays are “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” However, the holidays can also be a time of year for injuries if we are not careful.
Holiday injuries can occur from performing common activities such as decorating the house, lifting heavy boxes or trees, falling from ladders, or accidentally cutting yourself while preparing food or wrapping gifts. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, roughly 14,800 people are treated in the emergency room due to decorating-related holiday injuries, with half of these incidents involving falls. Most holiday-related injuries result from a fall, which can result in trauma such as fractures, sprains/strains or tendon/ligament tears that would require medical attention from a specialist.
To avoid an injury this season, here are four tips to follow:
- Setup Your Ladder, Check It Twice
Always inspect your ladder before use and have someone nearby to watch and help. Make sure your ladder is of proper height and is on a flat, even surface.
- Be Wary of Ice
Always wear proper footwear when walking outside during the colder weather. Ice cannot always be seen, so be aware of your surroundings when walking outside, especially on hard surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways, or streets. It is always best to walk on the grass to avoid slipping and falling on ice.
- Lift With Your Legs, Not Your Back
A large majority of emergency room visits during the holiday season result from decorating-related injuries. Be careful when lifting heavy boxes or objects so you do not strain your back.
- Cut Away from Yourself
During the Holiday Season, we are entertaining, cooking and spending more time in our kitchens. Knives and other sharp objects are always a concern during the Holiday Season. When preparing food, remember always to slice away from your body. The same rule applies when wrapping gifts. When using scissors or paper cutters, always direct them away from your body. Most importantly, keep sharp objects away from children.
With these tips in mind, you can make sure your Holiday Season is injury-free. If you do sustain an injury this year, contact Hampton Roads Orthopaedics Spine and Sports Medicine at 757-873-1554. Our Orthopaedic Surgeons, Pain Management Providers and their clinical teams are here to assist you!
