It’s the most wonderful time of year again! Time to gather with your family and friends and share food, laughs, and precious memories that will hopefully last a lifetime. Though the holidays tend to be a beautiful and joyous time, they also present many hazards. In this post, we will discuss some of the most common holiday hazards and share ways to reduce your and your family’s risk of illness and injury.

 

Burns in the Kitchen

Cooking fires tend to be the most prevalent hazard during the holidays. With cooking fires, the chef (and chef’s little helpers) are at risk of burning themselves or even causing their home to catch fire. Experts say an average of 1,700 cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving Day each year. This number is significantly higher than the normal average on other days of the year.

 

Here are some tips on how to avoid burns in the kitchen:

 

Food Poisoning

So many delicious foods that we routinely enjoy over Thanksgiving and Christmas can also be culprits for food poisoning. Food poisoning will put a damper on any celebration, but there are many steps you can take to keep yourself and your guests safe.

Ways to help prevent food poisoning include:

 

Slips and falls on ice/snow

The CDC has reported that more than 800,000 people are hospitalized every year due winter slips and falls. It is important to prevent any accidents due to the outside environment as much as possible – especially since trips to the emergency room can be expensive.

 

Fire Hazards: Candles, Overloaded Electrical Circuits

Home fires happen incredibly frequently in this country, especially during the cooler fall and winter months. During winter holidays, the odds of a house fire increase drastically. Fires can occur from multiple sources, but there are many to prevent them.

 

Illness (Colds, Flu, COVID)

Last but definitely not least, illnesses such as the cold, flu, and COVID are hazards that are rampant during the holiday season. On average, about 10% of the United States population becomes sick with the flu every holiday season. Do your part these upcoming months to best prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.  Here are some ways you can take action to help reduce your risk.

 

Remember the holidays are a wonderful time, however we want to stay as safe as possible. Make sure your home is ready for any potential hazards inside and out. We hope you and your family have a very safe start to your holiday season!