Temps drop, the holiday décor goes up — and ER doctors across the country brace for one of our busiest, most unpredictable seasons. But you want to be with your family, prepping to start a new year — not seeing me in the ER (it’s ok….I’m used to it…)..
So, from your friendly ER doctor who has worked her share of winter holiday shifts, here are the most common winter hazards I see — and how to keep your loved ones safe.
Holiday Décor Dangers
- Fact: Between 2010 and 2019, over 70,000 children under 18 visited ERs for battery-related injuries; more than 80% involved button batteries, most in kids under five.
- Tip: Check that no button batteries are loose, and that includes the holiday tea candles and other holiday decor (in addition to the standard remotes and key fobs that are there all year long). Be certain that button battery covers are secured, with both a latch and screw (and if not, tape covers, if needed).
- Fact: Holiday plants — holly, mistletoe (especially European mistletoe), and poinsettias — can cause reactions. Most are mild, and are maybe eye or skin irritation, but for some species, this can lead to true toxicity if ingested. Pets are also at risk.
- Tip: If you have small children or animals, opt for the faux versions, or just keep them out of reach.
The “Christmas Cardiac Spike”
- Fact: December 25, 26, and January 1 are the deadliest days of the year for heart attacks, even when adjusting for cold weather, with December 25 topping the list. Likely culprits: stress (snow shoveling + holiday drama), dietary indulgences, and delaying care during gatherings.
- Tip: Listen to your body. Don’t brush off chest pain, shortness of breath, or nausea because it’s the holidays. Call 911 — minutes matter.
Fire Hazards
- Fact: According to the NFPA, 38% of all home fire deaths occur December–February. Christmas tree fires are especially dangerous — more damaging than other house fires — and over one-third of them happen in January as trees dry out.
- Tip: Water your live tree daily, unplug lights anytime you’re not in the room, and take down the tree once it’s dry.
Falls on Ice & Snow
- Fact: In winter, fall injury rates nearly double among adults 45 and older. Slippery driveways, sidewalks, and stairs lead to predictable surges in ER visits. Carrying packages or children adds to the risk of fractures or sprains.
- Tip: Wear sturdy shoes with good traction outside (switch to party shoes once indoors), and watch for black ice — especially if carrying anything.
Christmas Dinner: Food Bolus Impactions
- Fact: ERs see a 10-fold increase in patients with food stuck in the esophagus during holiday meals (like what happened to my husband, here). The biggest culprits? Large chunks of meat like beef or turkey.
- Tip: Cut meat into small bites and chew thoroughly before swallowing.
Respiratory Infections: The Seasonal Surge
- Fact: Winter brings a 30% rise in ER visits for flu, RSV, pneumonia, and now COVID. Cases peak in December and January but can linger through March.
- Tip: Vaccines (flu, COVID, pneumonia if eligible) are still worthwhile well into winter. Wash hands often, carry sanitizer, and try to fit in rest and light exercise to support your immune system.
Medication Issues: “Grandmother’s Purse Syndrome”
- Fact: Child poisonings from medications spike during the holidays, often from relatives’ pill organizers or loose pills in handbags.
- Tip: Don’t leave purses with medications on the ground. Take pills right when you remove them from the bottle — don’t tuck them into tissues or pockets, where they can fall out and be found by kids.
Car Accidents
- Fact: December and January bring a measurable uptick in motor vehicle crashes, especially fatal ones, due to icy roads, fatigue, alcohol, and heavy holiday travel.
- Tip: Travel at off-peak times (not Christmas Eve), avoid driving in the dark if vision is an issue, and ensure everyone is properly buckled — no puffy coats in car seats.
Festivity Injuries: Burns & Lacerations
- Fact: Holiday cooking and entertaining mean more burns (from hot liquids, pans, and candles) and lacerations (from broken glassware or kitchen mishaps).
- Tip: Keep kids and pets out of the kitchen when cooking, turn pot handles inward, and be mindful of cords from countertop appliances — they can easily be pulled down, spilling hot contents.
Dangerous Gifts: Toy Injuries Without Safety Gear
- Fact: Every year, kids arrive in the ER with injuries from new bikes, scooters, hoverboards, or roller skates — almost always without helmets or pads. Adults aren’t immune either; plenty of grown-ups test out new toys without gear.
- Tip: If you gift an active toy, gift the helmet and pads too. Wrap them together so the safety gear gets used right away.
Here’s to a safe and happy holiday season, to you and your loved ones.
All my best,
- Dr. Darria
