Experts warn Aussies to stay on alert as new data from Victorian hospitals reveal unique risks of Christmas and New Year period
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It is no secret that everyone is rushing to get their preparations done before the holiday celebrations, especially now that we're just a few days away from Christmas!
If you are one of those people who are procrastinating to get everything ready, then you might want to consider slowing down and staying on alert as a new study revealed that a number of potentially deadly hazards are linked to the holiday rush.
Monash University research unit, Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit (VISU), has recently published a study on festive season-related injuries and accidents, revealing that 193 presentations related to festive season injuries were reported from 2018 to 2021.
A new study revealed that Christmas-related injuries and accidents can be potentially fatal. Credit: Getty Images.
The new data also revealed that 53 per cent of the incidents occurred at home — with the majority of the injuries related to falling — while children aged 0-9 years were the most affected with 30 per cent of them getting Christmas-related injuries.
It was also reported that the same age group suffered the most injuries from Christmas decorations or ornaments, with 67 per cent of them getting cuts and other injuries when children had placed decorations in their mouths.
Earlier this month, a group of first aid educators, CPR Kids, warned parents to supervise their children during the holiday season.
CPR Kids, a group dedicated to first aid education, shared x-ray images of an eight-month-old who had swallowed the hardware from a Christmas tree ornament, writing: “Thankfully, there was just enough air space for the little one to breathe until it was removed.”
X-ray images of an eight-month-old who had swallowed the hardware from a Christmas tree ornament. Credit: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology.
The group warned parents to monitor their children during the holiday season as they typically have “less supervision and greater exposure to potential aerodigestive foreign bodies”.
“It is especially important that parents are vigilant and that physicians are perceptive of the symptoms of foreign body aspiration, especially during the holiday season,” the group said.
Spikes in hospital admissions on Christmas day have become the norm, according to Victoria nurse Lucy Osborn.
"There are literally a lot more objects around – there’s a lot more for parents to keep their eyes on, a lot more shiny new things for kids to get their hands on," she said.
Meanwhile, other incidents that caused festive season-related injuries include those who got injured at a party function (5 per cent), cuts relating to serving food (3 per cent), cuts from Christmas decorations or ornaments (8 per cent), and falling Christmas trees (3 per cent).
For our folks out there, always keep an eye out for possible dangers during your holiday celebrations. We hope you keep safe and well during a happy festive period.
If you are one of those people who are procrastinating to get everything ready, then you might want to consider slowing down and staying on alert as a new study revealed that a number of potentially deadly hazards are linked to the holiday rush.
Monash University research unit, Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit (VISU), has recently published a study on festive season-related injuries and accidents, revealing that 193 presentations related to festive season injuries were reported from 2018 to 2021.
A new study revealed that Christmas-related injuries and accidents can be potentially fatal. Credit: Getty Images.
The new data also revealed that 53 per cent of the incidents occurred at home — with the majority of the injuries related to falling — while children aged 0-9 years were the most affected with 30 per cent of them getting Christmas-related injuries.
It was also reported that the same age group suffered the most injuries from Christmas decorations or ornaments, with 67 per cent of them getting cuts and other injuries when children had placed decorations in their mouths.
Earlier this month, a group of first aid educators, CPR Kids, warned parents to supervise their children during the holiday season.
CPR Kids, a group dedicated to first aid education, shared x-ray images of an eight-month-old who had swallowed the hardware from a Christmas tree ornament, writing: “Thankfully, there was just enough air space for the little one to breathe until it was removed.”
X-ray images of an eight-month-old who had swallowed the hardware from a Christmas tree ornament. Credit: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology.
The group warned parents to monitor their children during the holiday season as they typically have “less supervision and greater exposure to potential aerodigestive foreign bodies”.
“It is especially important that parents are vigilant and that physicians are perceptive of the symptoms of foreign body aspiration, especially during the holiday season,” the group said.
Spikes in hospital admissions on Christmas day have become the norm, according to Victoria nurse Lucy Osborn.
"There are literally a lot more objects around – there’s a lot more for parents to keep their eyes on, a lot more shiny new things for kids to get their hands on," she said.
Meanwhile, other incidents that caused festive season-related injuries include those who got injured at a party function (5 per cent), cuts relating to serving food (3 per cent), cuts from Christmas decorations or ornaments (8 per cent), and falling Christmas trees (3 per cent).
For our folks out there, always keep an eye out for possible dangers during your holiday celebrations. We hope you keep safe and well during a happy festive period.
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