How to Safely Avoid Common Holiday Injuries

The holidays can be the most magnificent time of the year. But with pressure to cook, clean, gift, and travel, it can also be a time of year where urgent care centers see more injuries. 

In fact, between 12,000 and 15,000 emergency room visits occur every year due to holiday-related injuries. Why is there such an increase during the holidays? What can you do for prevention to keep your loved ones safe? 

We will share some tips and practical advice you can use to have a safe, healthy, and merry holiday season. 

Avoid Over Indulgence

In all honesty, most people see the holidays as an excuse to overindulge. This can include alcohol, salty and sugary treats, and even caffeine. 

Overindulgence in alcohol and certain foods can flare underlying health conditions. Overindulgence is the number one reason for emergency room visits during the holidays. 

Unfortunately, how your body processes food and alcohol doesn’t change just for the holidays. Moderate intake so you can stay out of the emergency room and home with your family. 

Safely Decorate Your Home

Hanging those holiday lights outside can be especially risky when adding ice and snow into the mix. Though we don’t see much snow or ice in Florida, perhaps you may be traveling somewhere cooler for the holidays. 

We have some helpful safety tips you can use to minimize the risk of injury while decorating no matter where you reside: 

• Always place your ladder on a firm and flat surface 
• Always have someone spot you when hanging outdoor lights
• Never hang outdoor Christmas decorations when intoxicated
• Take your time and go slowly. Look out for icy patches. By being mindful of environmental challenges, you are less likely to be at risk for injury

Unwrap your Gifts with Care

What is one of the most exciting parts of the holidays? Unwrapping gifts! So don’t risk an injury that can ruin the moment. Using knives, scissors, or another sharp object to open gifts comes with the risk of puncture wounds and lacerations. 

Fortunately, many of these injuries are not life-threatening. Urgent care can appropriately treat these types of injuries if they cannot be treated at home. 

We have some helpful safety tips to help avoid gift wrapping injuries: 

• Never use dull kitchen knives or pens to open presents that are difficult to open
• If a blade is required to open a gift, use a safety blade
• If you are cutting open a package, cut away from yourself and others 
• Never allow a child to handle a sharp object
• Always assist a child with opening difficult Christmas gifts

Plan Ahead for Medical Needs

Your physician and pharmacy may have shortened hours during the holiday season. If you have a medical condition that needs attention, make sure to make your appointment well ahead of time. Make sure you keep your appointment as it may be more difficult to reschedule. 

Also, remember to fill your prescriptions. Check the hours at your pharmacy to see if they are different during the holidays. If you are traveling out of town, make sure you have enough medication until you can return home. 

Whether you are a resident in Florida or a Visitor, Our Urgent Care Centers are Here for You!

If you do end up needing medical care during the holidays, then Urgent Care of the Palm Beaches is here to help you so you can get back to your family. We also offer telemedicine urgent care if you have a minor illness or injury but need guidance. 

We accept patients who have made appointments, as well as walk-in patients. We have several locations for your convenience, including:

• urgent care Forest Hill 
• urgent care West Palm Beach 
• urgent care Palm Beach Gardens

Are you concerned about COVID-19? Would you like to have rapid COVID testing before getting together with your family? We are happy to assist you with COVID-19 testing at Palm Beach or any of our urgent care centers. 

We offer: 

• Rapid Covid Antigen Test
• PCR testing
• IgG Antibody Test for immunity

The tests are available at all of our 3 locations.

From all of us at Urgent Care of the Palm Beaches, we wish you a safe, healthy, and joyful holiday season!  

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.