The holidays are a peak time for increased stress and accidents, like a personal accident for both humans and pets.
Decorations, fires, new toys, visitors, cooking, and houses packed with over-excited children and extra animals present a lot of potential hazards. Factor in the additional seasonal stress and alcohol and you can start to understand how people fall foul of the festive season.
We have put together an essential guide of common incidents to help you avoid a personal accident during the holidays.
1. Allergies
The holidays are a time when people with food allergies need to take extra special care. The ingredient list of pre-packed food should list all major allergens, but be cautious with catered food.
Chocolate treats for children, such as those you hang on the Christmas tree, may end up separated from their packaging. Some of these could contain nuts or possible nut residues. Even if there is no nut warning, there may be a risk of cross-contamination.
2. Dangers of Alcohol
Alcohol can reduce one’s risk awareness and inhibitions. Accidents are more likely to happen in the kitchen and the home if you have overdone the alcohol. Space drinks out with non-alcoholic ones and the cook should refrain from drinking alcohol until the food is on the table.
If someone has collapsed having drunk too much; check they are breathing and then roll them into the recovery position to keep their airway clear. Someone should stay with them at all times, this is particularly important if they are vomiting.
At the end of the day make sure any residual alcohol is emptied of glasses as children could drink the remains and are often the first down the morning after a party.
Never drink and drive.
3. Choking
Glass and fragile decorations should be out of reach for toddlers and pets. Novelty decorations, such as stuffed Santas, reindeer, and snowmen that may look like toys do not have to comply with toy safety standards and may be dangerous.
Small parts from toys or gadgets, novelties from crackers, or even burst balloons can easily become a choking hazard for children.
4. Decorations
It was revealed in research that more than 1,000 people each year are hurt while decorating their Christmas tree, usually whilst fixing decorations to the highest branches.
Another survey showed 2.6million people have fallen while using unstable chairs or stools whilst putting up decorations. Use a ladder.
And 1 in 50 people has fallen from the loft when getting decorations down. Don’t do this job alone, have someone to hand the decorations down to. Avoiding a personal accident.
Glass decorations should be placed out of the reach of toddlers and pets. Children and pets can be hurt if they bite into glass baubles
5. Fairy Lights
A staggering 350 people a year are injured by Christmas tree lights, including falls while they are being put up, children swallowing the bulbs, and electric shocks and burns.
Test your lights and the wiring before you put them up. If necessary, buy new ones that meet higher safety standards. One in 40 people have suffered an electrical shock due to badly wired Christmas lights.
Don’t overload sockets as it can lead to overheating and electrical fires.
Switch off any electrical decorations at night and make sure your guests also know how to do so.
Avoid cables being a tripping hazard that can cause you a personal accident.
It was reported that between 1997-2010, 26 people died as a result of electrocution on their Christmas lights. Unplug them first before you do anything about it.
During this holiday season, it is important to be safe. Don’t forget to have personal accident insurance handy as well, as this will help you a lot when you encounter the unexpected. Get one today at Insurance Market Singapore!
Insurance Market offers a wide range of general insurance products (such as travel insurance, maid insurance, pet insurance, and more) online and life insurance through personal advice from our qualified brokers. Please contact us at [email protected]surancemarket.sg or +65 69081811 if you have any questions.
