Overview
- Safety bodies highlight a predictable December surge, with around 80,000 festive accident attendances at A&E and home fires peaking on Christmas Day at 53% above average.
- Recent surveys report decoration hazards: about 1,000 people are injured by Christmas trees each year, 2.7% have had electric shocks from faulty lights, and millions report falls from stools or lofts while putting up decorations.
- Fire prevention steps include inspecting and replacing damaged lights, switching off decorations when unattended, keeping real trees watered and away from heat sources, and ensuring working smoke alarms and clear escape routes.
- Health agencies flag kitchen and medicine risks, urging safe turkey defrosting and prompt chilling of leftovers, plus vigilance over interactions such as grapefruit with multiple drugs and cranberry or vitamin K effects on warfarin.
- Alcohol-related harm rises over the holidays, with officials advising moderation, avoiding drink–drug combinations that impair coordination, and steering clear of driving after drinking, while keeping children safe from button batteries, small toys, and toxic plants.