Domestic accidents at Christmas: how to spend the holidays safely

During the Christmas period the house is filled with lights, decorations, candles, decorations and preparations that make the holidays a unique moment. However, we must be careful: together with the magic of the holidays, in fact, domestic risks also increase. The doctor explains it Luciana Marzellaresponsible for the Hand Traumatology and Microsurgery service of the IRCCS Galeazzi–Sant’Ambrogio Hospital, which starts from an important premise: “During the holidays, things are prepared that are not normally done during the yearsuch as the Christmas tree and the nativity scene, and errors in preparation can increase the risk of domestic accidents. During the holidays the house is filled with many new objects, and we also spend much more time in the kitchen. This is why it is important to pay attention to multiple factors.”

Christmas tree: real or artificial, there is no shortage of risks

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Even just preparing the tree can become a critical moment. If you use a real tree, explains Marzella, you must consider that “all parts of the tree can be pricklybecause very often, accidentally, you can prick your fingers and develop infections or foreign body reactions. Furthermore, needles that have fallen to the ground can represent a danger for animals and children, in the event of ingestion.” For those who choose an artificial tree, attention shifts to the setup method: “I would recommend setting up the tree at a height that allows you to decorate it and reach up to the tip simply by lifting your arm. This is because so much the taller the tree, the greater the risk of falling while decorating“. Finally, a less known but real danger concerns the packaging of gifts: “I recommend, if you have children, to Don’t buy ribbons to wrap packagesbut to use ready-made envelopes with rosettes. There have been cases of children wrapping package tape around their necks and having suffocation episodes.”

Decorations and lights: pay attention to children and animals

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Decorations represent another potential risk: “It is advisable, especially in the presence of pets or children, to avoid hanging decorationsand to place them in a position away from their little hands or paws. They must also be positioned far from heat sources such as fireplaces, curtains or faulty electrical sockets, because, in the event of a short circuit, curtains can easily burnand the house would be involved in a short time” explains Dr. Marzella, who then also warns against the use of real candles: “It is important Don’t decorate trees with real candles. In some areas where this tradition is more widespread, such as Alto Adige, there have been several fires. If you really want natural light, it is essential to place candles away from curtains and furniture that can catch fire. Best on a surface like glass. We must then replace them before they run out, because they can cause an increase in temperature and lead to a fire.” You must also pay attention to the size of the decorations: “If there are children in the house it is better to use very large ballsbecause small ones can easily be taken and swallowed, increasing the risk of suffocation.”

Nativity scene: improvised DIY and dangerous positions

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Not even the nativity scene is risk-free: “We try to do it in such a way as to put it in a position that is not easily reachable by children, and it is better to use slightly larger figurines. Location is also important, as children sometimes try to climb on furniture to reach it, transforming it into a dangerous game”. The doctor also advises against building it yourself using unfamiliar tools: “A lot of people do this at home and a lot of hand trauma occurs because you have never used a hammer or a drill and you use it to make a nativity scene, injuring yourself.”

In the kitchen: between burns, cuts and food preservation

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The kitchen is one of the most risky environments during the holidays, as Marzella explains: “The kitchen during the Christmas period becomes extremely dangerous. We often cook a lot and in a hurry, and this increases the risk of burns and small injuries. The use of slicers at home should be avoidedpreferring to purchase already sliced ​​cured meats. And to avoid burns, it is always advisable to wear oven gloves when inserting or removing pans from the oven, because one of the most common burns is due to the use of pot holders or tea towels instead of protective gloves.” In addition to accidents during the preparation of meals, another key issue is that of preserving leftovers, which are abundant during the festive period: “If leftovers are not stored well there is a risk of food contamination. It is important that raw foods are placed at the top in the refrigerator, while cooked foods must be placed underneath and well covered. Clearly you need to pay attention to the appearance and smell of food, but not only that: poorly stored food can cause the development of botulinum, which has neither odor nor colour, and is a fatal disease”.