The holiday season, while joyous and festive, brings with it a range of hazards that can result in injuries. Accidents can happen in your own home or while visiting other locations that may not be familiar to you. Understanding the sources of accidents is important not only for avoiding them but also for being prepared for what to do if they occur.

An article by AARP reports that about 30 percent of 2,000 surveyed Americans who celebrated winter holidays said they had been injured while participating. Here are documented cases that were found, some of which are surprising:

• Cuts from opening gifts or preparing food — Injuries can occur while using box cutters, utility knives or scissors to open gifts or trim trees. Kitchen-knife cuts can be particularly serious.
• Falls while decorating — Climbing up ladders or on roofs to string lights or to install other outdoor decorations is dangerous, especially in inclement weather. Even indoor decorating can lead to falls or lifting injuries.
• Holiday fires — Christmas tree fires can by caused by failure to keep the tree sufficiently watered. Other causes of fires include electrical overloads, running extension cords underneath rugs and placing candles too close to flammable items. Cooking fires can result from grease being ignited or from turkey fryers exploding.
• Tripping on hazards — Decorations, light cords, wrapping paper and toys scattered across the floor can pose tripping hazards. Excited family pets can also be tripping obstacles.
• Heart attacks — Increased stress during the holidays due to changes in routine, heavy meals, increased alcohol consumption and overexertion make for a higher incidence of heart attacks.
• Champagne cork injuries — As odd as it may seem, opening champagne bottles can and does result in high-speed cork ejections, sometimes causing eye injuries.
• Food poisoning — Bacterial growth in improperly stored food can lead to serious illness, as can consuming raw or undercooked items and contaminated ingredients. Cookie dough, for example, contains raw eggs that may be infected by salmonella virus.
• Ingesting harmful substances — Holiday visitors may accidentally ingest substances like marijuana edibles or other items with restrictions on consumption. These accidents are not restricted to children.

All of the above accidents are in addition to an increased incidence of motor vehicle accidents during the holidays, which is often fueled by drunk driving.

An added complication cited by AARP is that people injured in holiday accidents may put off getting medical attention, often because they don’t want to disrupt the festivities or miss out on them. This can be a serious and costly mistake. If you or a family member suffers an injury, get to a trauma center as quickly as possible. You may also wish to consult with a personal injury lawyer soon afterward.

The attorneys at Hope & Causey, P.C. in Conroe are experienced with all types of accident cases. We serve clients throughout Montgomery County, San Antonio, Houston and surrounding areas. Call 936-441-4673 or contact us online today.