With so many people working in the kitchen to prepare the festive feast, it can be a prime location for accidents, with 1 in 10 people suffering severe burns from hot fats or liquids and 1 in 5 suffering severe cuts.
Most people who have accidents do not know what to do in these situations, so a first aid qualification, such as a 1-day Emergency First Aid at Work course, would equip them with the knowledge and skills to treat the injuries and get their loved one to A&E.
The pain, scarring, and infection of burns can make the situation worse.
These days, children’s toys must adhere to stringent safety standards and feature screw-down battery covers or battery hatches that are difficult for a small child to open.
However, musical Christmas cards and annoying musical hats are exempt from the regulation, making it very simple for a child to swallow one of these batteries.
The button batteries in those musical Christmas cards and hats are shiny, attractive to small children, and easily ingested.
If a child is not found and taken to A&E quickly, they can die within hours.
Hospitals across the UK are reporting an increase in children swallowing button batteries and small magnets, some of which are fatal.
Children use these magnets to imitate cheek and tongue studs, which can cause disastrous consequences if they swallow them.
Over the past year, admissions have increased significantly, with some A&Es now seeing at least one a week.
Turkey is a favourite dish in many homes during Christmas and takes a while to cook properly; sadly, many people still end up at A&E with food poisoning. Salmonella poisoning increases during this time of year and can be fatal to both young and old.
Our festive meals can be a significant cause of food poisoning during Christmas, especially with undercooked turkey or chicken.
A lot of people buy Christmas plants to go with their holiday decorations. However, some plants can be highly toxic if consumed, or they can trigger a severe allergic reaction.
Mistletoe is a popular choice for Christmas decor in many homes, and, if consumed, its berries can slow the heart rate and induce hallucinations.
Therefore, if you’re unsure if a plant is toxic, check with a florist or garden centre before bringing it home, especially if you have small children or pets.
Everyone can enjoy Christmas; as long as they use a little extra caution and prepare ahead of time, we can all avoid unnecessary trips to the hospital.
A 1-day emergency first aid course will equip you with the necessary first aid skills to handle most domestic accidents.
If you’re interested in learning more, we offer a 3-day first aid at work course that will equip you with the necessary skills to handle most minor first-aid incidents.
Given the above, first aid skills can also be helpful at other times.