Flames are a big source of indoor injuries during the winter holidays.
SAN ANTONIO — The time of year for friends and family is in full swing, as are holiday parties and gatherings. But those celebrations inside your home can also offer up more chances for holiday trouble and trauma.
When it comes to injuries inside the home, flames are fires are a big source of them. Keeping your Christmas tree watered in a must. And turn off the lights when you aren’t home or sleeping, even if your tree is artificial. Jennifer Northway, the University Health director of adult and pediatric injury prevention told us, “As we are getting ready for our holiday tree decorations, we want to make sure that we don’t put any live fire items, candles onto the tree.”
If you use a power strip make sure it is working properly, never put plug extension cords into each other, and try to limit electrical hazards. Northway added, “Finding things that can hang on doors or sconces is a great alternative to something that might need to be plugged in and light up.”
Toys are a big source of trouble too, especially if they have little pieces. In the latest report by The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2023 there were over 154,000 emergency-treated injuries associated with toys for children 12 and under. There were also 10 deaths attributed to choking, drownings, and entrapment inside things like a toy chest. Among all injuries, non-motorized scooters accounted for the largest share of injuries across all ages.
Preparing meals and holiday gatherings are a big focus of the season. But when it gets cold, don’t use any cooking elements for heat. Northway said, “A very common thing, is that people will leave their oven door open to try to heat the home. And that can actually be a very dangerous from a carbon monoxide perspective, from a fire perspective.”
If you’re hosting for the holidays anything hot on the stove needs extra attention, especially if there are children or pets around. “We want to make sure that we keep pot handles turned in so that any visitors or kids that are over, don’t unintentionally hit those and knock something over,” said Northway.