Christmas Health and Safety Tips

For those celebrating Christmas, the holiday season is all about joy, laughter and spreading festive cheer. But it’s also a time where certain health and safety mishaps rise in numbers. In 2022, the US consumer product safety commission reported there were about 14900 people treated in hospital emergency departments due to holiday decorating-related injuries alone.

From slipping in the snow to having accidental Christmas light injuries, there’s a lot that can go wrong during the Christmas period, so read on to find out the best way to stay safe during the holiday season for the sake of yourself, your family and Santa Claus.

1. Christmas Trees

Christmas trees pose a firehazard if not properly maintained or placed in unsafe locations, this risk is particularly more common with real trees. According to NFPA in 2016-2020, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 160 home fires per year caused by Christmas trees, resulting in 2 deaths, 11 injuries, and $12 million in property damage.

• If using a real tree, choose one that’s fresh with green, pliable needles that don’t fall off easily.
• Water real trees daily to prevent drying out, as dry trees ignite quickly. (Make sure to turn Christmas lights off to avoid death by electrocution.)
• Place your tree at least 3 feet away from heat sources such as fireplaces or radiators.
• Secure the tree to prevent it from tipping, especially if you have pets or small children.
• For artificial trees, choose a flame-retardant model for added safety.
• Always turn off the tree’s lights before leaving the house or going to sleep.

2. Christmas Lights

Twinkling Christmas lights bring lots of festive cheer and fun during the holiday season, but its important to be aware of the dangers they can also bring when not handled carefully. These dangers come in the form of electrical hazards, and falling injuries. According to NFPA 44 % of Christmas tree fires are started from decorative lights.

• Inspect all lights for frayed wires, cracked sockets, or loose connections before using.
• Ensure your Christmas lights have a UL Safety Certification.
• Avoid connecting 3 strands of light together to avoid overloading hazards.
• Avoid using nails or staples for hanging lights up, use hooks or clips to prevent wire damage.
• Always turn off and unplug the Christmas lights before leaving the house or going to sleep.
• For outdoor Christmas lights, use weatherproof lights and extension cords rated for outdoor use.

3. Candle Safety

Another statistic from NFPA, The top three days for home candle fires are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day, with 36% of incidents caused by unattended candles. That’s an alarming statistic, but it just goes to show how health and safety shouldn’t be forgotten during the holiday season.

• Make sure to place candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface, away from curtains, trees, decorations, or any flammable materials.
• Never leave candles unattended and don’t leave them burning overnight.
• Keep candles out of reach from children and pets.
• Use flameless LED candles to reduce the risk of fire, while still having the cosy festive atmosphere provided by flame candles.
• Keeep candles at least 12 inches away from anything flammable.

4. Slips, Trips and Falls

If you’ve never slipped, tripped or fell, you must be very lucky. This  highly common accident  comes from various sources like slippery ice, ladder injuries, and tripping hazards which are all way too common during Christmas time. In 2012, 43 percent of holiday decorating injuries were from falling which accounted for the highest cause of injury in holiday decorations. So watch your step, and take proper precaution in slippery snow too!

• Clear sidewalks, driveways and steps of ice or snow to reduce chances of slipping. Apply salt or sand, or a salt/sand mix to melt the ice and provide traction for the best chance of preventing slips.
• Always use a sturdy ladder when decorating, place it on a level surface, don’t over reach, and don’t use the top step! Follow all ladder safety guidelines.
• Keep walkways indoors and outdoors free of clutter like toys, wrappign paper or decorations.
• Use non-slip mats in high-traffic indoor areas, to prevent slipping from shoes outdoors making the floor wet from the snow.
• Encourage your household to remove wet shoes at the door to further reduce risk of slipping on a wet floor.

Hopefully with these tips, you won’t slip, trip or fall, but if you do, I hope it doesn’t ruin your holiday spirit!

5. Kitchen Safety

Cooking for the holidays can become very chaotic very easily, cooking large amounts of food for a larger number of people. But be careful, because cooking is the leading cause of residential fires according to CPSC, with Thanksgiving day having three times the daily average for cooking fires. So here are some top tips for keeping your home safe from kitchen accidents.

• Stay in the kitchen while cooking, especially if you’re frying, boiling or grilling food.
• Keep flammable items like oven mitts or decorations away from the stove.
• Use a timer on your phone or a cooking timer to make sure you don’t forget about food that’s cooking in case your mind wanders or if you’ve left the kitchen.
• Use oven mitts and potholders to handle hot cookingware safely.
• In the case of a grease fire, do not use water to extinguish it, cover the pan with a lid or use baking soda to smother flames.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and ready just in case, and make sure you know how to use it. Different fire extinguishers are better for different fires so make sure to use the correct one.
• Ensure all meat dishes are cooked to the appropriate temperatures to avoid food poisoning, Aa turkey should reach a minimum internal temp of 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh when its done.

That wraps up SHIIFT’s 29 essential safety tips for the holiday season. If you’re interested in health and safety beyond Christmas, be sure to check out our many health and safety training projects designed to keep your employees safe in their workplace in a fun and engaging way!