Christmas sees spike in injuries

One might assume that the most common injuries on Christmas occur from activities such as starting a holiday fire for the family to gather around or drinking and driving after one too many festive cocktails. However, you might be surprised to find out that the most common injuries on Christmas occur from opening gifts and assembling Christmas decorations, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Putting up and taking down decorations

According to the USA Network, more than 35,000 people were injured by electrical decorations and more than 80,000 people sustained injuries from non-electrical decorations in the last decade. Some of the most common injuries from Christmas decorations include:

• Broken bones and head injuries from falling off ladders and roofs
• Burns from fires caused by electrical malfunctions
• Cuts and lacerations from broken decorations

People can also experience back injuries from lifting boxes containing decorations. Tragically, many injuries that occur from Christmas decorating can have lifelong consequences.

Wrapping and opening gifts

Almost 2,500 people are injured each year from wrapping and unwrapping gifts. Because wrapping paper is extremely flammable, many people end up in the emergency room when the paper comes too close to a holiday fire and ignites a flash fire in a person’s home. Additionally, people can easily sustain serious cuts and lacerations from scissors used to cut wrapping paper and box cutters used to open gifts.

Sustaining an injury over the holidays can be devastating, especially if it occurs from hazardous conditions that were out of your control. If you or someone you love was seriously injured over the holidays, consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your options and help you receive compensation for your injuries.