Survey reveals the top five causes of Christmas injuries
Almost 20 per cent of Brits will injure themselves cooking Christmas dinner, a survey* by personal injury specialist First4lawyers has revealed.
The survey, which looked at the top Christmas related mishaps that take place in the home, discovered that preparing and serving the biggest family meal of the year is the main cause of festive foul-ups.
The top five causes of injuries at Christmas are:
1. Cooking Christmas dinner (20%)
2. Cuts from broken tree ornaments (11%)
3. Falls from ladders of roofs installing lights and decorations (11%)
4. Trips over cables and fairy lights (10%)
5. Burns from candles (10%)
Other common injuries are caused by electric shocks (8%), setting up toys and games on Christmas Day (7%) and falling Christmas trees (4%). What’s more, a staggering 80 per cent of all injuries at Christmas are alcohol related, proving that a little too much festive spirit is not always a good thing.
Chris Rodgers, spokesperson for First4lawyers said: “The week’s leading up to Christmas can be quite fraught with planning and getting the home ready for the festive celebrations, however it’s important that we don’t get too carried away and take unnecessary safety risks – particularly on the big day itself.
“Cooking the Christmas dinner is one of the biggest jobs we undertake, that coupled with too much to drink and you could be in for a trip to A&E rather than sitting down to watch the Queen’s speech.
“Drinking reduces risk awareness so make sure you avoid alcohol until you've finished cooking, keep sharp knives away from worktop edges and wipe up any liquid or grease spills as soon as they happen, so that people don't slip.
“When it comes to decorating your home, always ensure that fairy lights come with the required safety mark and keep out of reach of children. If you’re hanging decorations outside use a sturdy pair of ladders and don’t attempt to do the job alone. Crushed baubles or plastic tree toys can cause painful cuts so ensure that any breakages are quickly swept up and disposed of.”
According to the NHS, more than 80,000 people a year need hospital treatment for injuries such as falls, cuts and burns during the festive period and around 1000 are hurt decorating their homes says RoSPA.
London sees the highest number of injuries at Christmas (31%) followed by Belfast (29%) and Dublin (26%). Norwich is the safest city with only 8 per cent of injuries happening here followed by Leeds with 9 per cent and Manchester with 13 per cent.
For further information about First4lawyers or if you have sustained and injury and need advice please call 0800 567 7866 visit www.first4lawyers.com.
* Survey of 1,500 adults aged 18 and over across the UK who have had an injury in the past five years. Research was commissioned by First4lawyers and carried out by YourSayPays.
