It’s time for holiday prep and parties—but with that comes an increased risk of injuries and illness. Here’s what you need to know to celebrate the season in good health.
Contributed by Anthony Zalewski RN, BSN, MHA | Injury Prevention & Outreach Coordinator
Shopping, planning, cooking, playing: who has time to think about health right now? It’s when we’re most distracted that we leave ourselves vulnerable to injuries or accidents or let health slide, says Anthony Zalewski, MetroHealth’s Injury Prevention and Outreach Coordinator.
1
Food-prep mishaps
Burns, especially from turkey fryer accidents, spike every holiday season. Cuts on fingers and hands are another common cooking injury.2
Cold-weather hazards
Beware of the risk of frostbite in freezing temperatures.3
Traffic accidents
Drivers in a hurry plus alcohol at parties spell an increase in dangerous road conditions.4
Heart attacks
Overexertion, from snow-shoveling, for example, can cause cardiac arrest.5
Stroke
According to the American Heart Association when temperatures turn cold, stroke cases rise.
To reduce your chances of getting hurt, follow these simple steps:
Slow down
Many holiday injuries happen because you’re trying to do too much at once. You may reach into a hot oven without a potholder or drive too fast.
Deep fry the right way
Keep that fryer outside; indoor use raises the risk of a house fire. And only put a fully thawed bird in the fryer; a frozen turkey may explode in the hot oil.
Avoid cutting your fingers and hands
Here are some tips:
- Keep your knives sharp and well-maintained
- Make sure to use the right knife for the job
- Keep your hands dry when using a knife, wet hands can lead to slipping and injury
- Keep your fingers tucked in like a claw
- Use a guard or a cutting glove while cutting with a mandolin
- Start cutting slowly, increase your speed with cutting as you are more comfortable
Celebrate responsibly
Alcohol and cannabis use and driving are a dangerous mix. Choose a designated driver or take a car service when necessary.
Shovel smart
If you have a preexisting heart issue, use a snowblower or hire someone to remove snow. If you can, push snow out of the way rather than try to lift heavy, wet shovelfuls.
Stock your car for an emergency
Hazardous road conditions can leave you stranded in the cold. Prepare by keeping an extra blanket or coat, a first aid kit, snacks and water in your car.
Head to an urgent care for minor cuts or burns. Go to the emergency department if you feel it’s more serious—for example, if you can’t stop bleeding. If you or a loved one experience any signs of heart attack or stroke, call 911 or head to the emergency department immediately.
“In case of an emergency, take me to MetroHealth.”
MetroHealth Emergency Department
MetroHealth offers four Emergency Departments in Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Brecksville and Parma. To learn more, see the full details here.
