Every holiday season, medical teams across the US see an increase in ER visits. Here are some tips to avoid the most common reasons people visit emergency rooms around the holidays:
- Food poisoning: No one wants to spend the holidays in the bathroom or the ER, so make sure you practice properly food handling and storage. Thoroughly wash any utensil or surface that comes into contact with raw meats and wash your hands regularly.
- Chemical poisoning: Keep all cleaners and medications locked up and out of the hands of young guests.
- Falls from holiday decorating: When hanging something light festive lights, never use a ladder alone. Make sure someone is holding the ladder at the bottom for you and never use a ladder in icy conditions!
- Choking hazards: Monitor your kids while they’re helping to decorate or eating holiday candies, which can pose as choking hazards. Keep these items away from pets, too.
- Car accidents: Travel increases during the holidays. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination, always wear a seat belt, slow down and avoid distractions like your phone.