7 Holiday Decorating Injuries That Can Land You in Urgent Care

Whether you’re decorating inside or out, accidents are rampant around the holidays, and it’s always better to avoid them than to end up in urgent care. 

The medical professionals at Injury and Health Urgent Care are always ready to provide tips to keep you safe.  However, if you do experience an accident, Melissa Kempf, MD, Shannon Wait, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, and the rest of our team are available to treat any cuts, scrapes, bruises, or worse injuries, no matter how they occur.

Here are seven common holiday decorating injuries we’d like you to avoid: 

1. Falls 

Falls are among the most common types of accidents that cause injury. They occur year-round, but according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, “On average, there are about 160 Christmas decorating-related injuries each day during the holiday season, with nearly half of the incidents involving falls.” 

This is most likely to happen when putting up Christmas lights or other decorations on or around the outside of your home. However, getting up on a flimsy chair or sofa arm to put the star on your tree could result in a serious crash landing. 

Make sure you do everything safely and with the utmost care, especially when it could potentially cause a fall. 

2. Burns

Burns are also extremely common during the holiday season. But it isn’t just when you leave the stove on accidentally or take the turkey out of the deep fryer. Candles are common decorations for holidays like Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa, and leaving them unattended or getting too close to them can easily land you in urgent care. 

3. Electrical shock

We’ve all seen the funny scenes in Christmas comedies where the bumbling dad shocks himself while trying to put up the lights. But this is more dangerous than the movies would have you believe. Electrical shocks can be serious and happen without warning. 

Make sure you’re being extremely careful with any artificial lighting, whether indoor or outdoor, and follow the manufacturer’s directions for use closely. 

4. Poisoning 

It may sound crazy, but decorations that have been used for decades could contain lead, arsenic, and other toxic substances. Check your decor each year to ensure it’s safe and won’t injure you, your children, or your pets before handling or displaying. 

5. Back injuries 

Carrying items down from the attic may not seem like much of a chore, but if you overload yourself, you could strain your back or worse. As a result, you may be spending the holiday propped up in bed. 

That’s why we always recommend testing the weight of something to see if you can carry it safely and, of course, lifting with your legs. Notably, climbing up and down ladders or step stools can also aggravate back and leg muscles, resulting in stiffness and pain. 

6. Workplace injury 

The holidays are a time for family togetherness, but you may also be asked to put up decorations at work. If you experience a work injury, make sure it’s documented immediately so you can receive workers’ compensation benefits.  

7. Cuts and scrapes 

Opening a box of decorations with a knife can seem like an easy task until a slip of the blade lands you in urgent care. Make sure you’re careful whenever handling something sharp or breakable. Seek treatment right away for an update on your tetanus booster if you’re working with old or rusty decorations. 

Who knew the holidays could be so dangerous? 

It may seem silly, but we promise you, injuries really do increase during the holiday season. Make sure to slow down, focus on what you’re doing, and take each step carefully to avoid holiday decorating injuries while celebrating the season with your loved ones!

If you do need to see us at our San Antonio, Texas, office, make an appointment online or call us today. We’re here to help keep you safe year-round.