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Whether it’s creating the perfect holiday meal or making your house the envy of everyone in the neighborhood, using a little extra caution is the best way to stay safe this holiday season.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), emergency room visits on Thanksgiving Day are 121% higher than any other Thursday, and there are roughly 15,000 holiday decorating-related injuries each year requiring treatment in emergency rooms.
While the causes vary, there’s a common theme – trying to do too much, too fast.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, let’s talk turkey.
No matter what you’re planning for your holiday feast, focus on the task at hand and take your time enjoying the process from start to finish.
“When it comes to preparing holiday meals, it’s essential to practice good knife safety. Use a cutting board, keep knives sharp – as dull ones slip more easily – and always cut away from your body,” says Jeremy Driscoll, MD, an emergency medicine physician with HonorHealth. “Avoid distractions to prevent accidents. We often see holiday-related lacerations from rushed or distracted chopping, which could be avoided with mindful preparation.”
According to the CPSC, there are 100,000 scalds and burns resulting from cooking or frying turkeys.
“For those deep-frying a turkey, remember that oil fires are a real danger. Never fry indoors or on a wooden deck, and keep the fryer away from structures,” Driscoll adds. “Always thaw the turkey thoroughly and lower it slowly into the oil. I’ve seen burns from it splashing when an icy or wet turkey hits the hot oil.”
Enjoy the effort – whether yours or someone else’s.
Have you heard of holiday heart syndrome? Driscoll and other emergency room doctors have, and they see it every year. It’s caused by overeating or consuming large meals, which are often high in salt and fat, too fast. Driscoll explains this can cause abnormal heart rhythms in susceptible individuals. He also explained food bolus impaction – which happens when food gets stuck in the throat – can require emergency intervention.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.
That classic line comes from a Christmas poem written in 1822, but after all these years, the meaning behind the words still rings true. No matter the holiday you’ll be celebrating, you need to be careful here as well.
There are roughly 15,000 holiday decorating-related injuries requiring treatment in emergency departments annually and more than 40% involve falls.
“When decorating, especially while using ladders or stools, always make sure they’re on even ground. It’s best to have someone hold the ladder for stability and avoid leaning too far,” Driscoll points out. “Every year, we see fractures and head injuries from falls that could have been prevented with proper setup and a bit of patience.”
Driscoll also mentions another safety tip dealing with candles and fireplaces. He advises against leaving them unattended because of accidental burns and smoke inhalation.
Next-level care
If accidents do happen, Driscoll says most injuries can be treated at home.
“For at-home care, minor cuts and scrapes should be washed, covered with a sterile dressing and kept clean. Ice can be used for bruising or mild strains. If you see signs of infection, such as redness or swelling, or if bleeding doesn’t stop, consider heading to an urgent care. For fractures, deep cuts or severe pain, the emergency room is the right choice.”
With multiple urgent cares and hospitals across the Valley, HonorHealth has a location close by ready to help.
