A common-sense approach will ensure that everyone can enjoy the festive period safely without the risk of becoming another Christmas statistic.
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), 80,000 people visit Accident and Emergency for Christmas related accidents each year, with 6,000 needing to be admitted. The organisation “First Aid for Life” has prepared a list of the twelve most common accidents “so you can avoid becoming a Christmas statistic”. In keeping with the season of goodwill, we summarise the main types and add a further footnote on the risks associated with festive candles!
Festive celebrations usually start with the decoration of the Christmas tree. RoSPA statistics reveal that 1,000 people each year suffer injuries garlanding the tree – usually when fixing decorations to the highest branch.
Illuminating the tree is also not without risk, with a further 350 people injured by Christmas tree lights which include electric shock and children swallowing bulbs. Data from RoSPA shows that between 1997 and 2010, 26 people died through electric shocks received as they chose to water the tree with the lights still on.
The increased prevalence of candles, tinsel and combustible material at Yuletide also increases the risk of fires – with statistics showing that the UK population is 50 % more likely to die in a house fire at Christmas than at any other time of the year.
Assuming you have safely circumnavigated those safety risks, preparations will then start for the Christmas lunch. First Aid For Life report a survey showing a staggering 49 % of respondents suffering from an accident whilst preparing Christmas food, with knife related injuries being the most common.
Once salmonella risks from the turkey have been avoided, we move to the opening of presents where the most prevalent risks are children swallowing batteries which contain corrosive liquids and unsafe toys, usually imported illegally and sold predominantly at market stalls.
Wanting to sit back after the meal and present opening and enjoy a Christmas ambience by lighting a scented candle? Not so fast!
Studies reveal using scented candles usually contain phthalates which can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin which can exacerbate allergic symptoms/asthma.
Candles also release Particulate Matter (PM), which become deposited in the body’s alveoli. High levels of PM are well recognized to adversely effect the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems with a study published in BMC Public Health in 2023, by the Authors Khathlan Basuwaidan et al, revealing the most common effects were headaches, shortness of breath and coughing.
Before readers are tempted to cancel Christmas for fear of sustaining injury, context is however vital. Simply adopting a commonsense approach to safety will ensure that everyone can enjoy the festive period safely without the risk of becoming yet another Christmas statistic.
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