Festive First Aid Tips for a Safe and Healthy Christmas

Christmas is the ultimate time of year for spending time with loved ones and for many, having a much needed break away from the humdrum of ordinary life.  However, with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) predicting that over 80,000 people in the UK will require medical help from their local A&E department, we give you a few festive first aid tips so you can reduce the risk of accidents and injury in your home this Christmas.

Take care putting up decorations

It may seem harmless, but it has been recorded that around 1000 people are hurt each year adorning their homes with lights and Christmas decorations.  Be sure to replace any lights which don’t meet current safety regulations, and use a ladder when putting them up rather than opting to stand on a chair.  Glass baubles and other decorations are hazardous when broken or damaged, so throw them away and keep fragile items away from the reach of children and pets.  Although smoke alarms should be regularly tested most aren’t, therefore please test them, particularly now you have plugged in the Christmas tree lights that only get used once per year.

Beware of the heat in the kitchen

The kitchen is notoriously a hive of activity on Christmas Day, and with family and friends popping over to visit and alcohol often being consumed early on in the day, this turns the kitchen into a high risk area.  Take care to turn saucepan handles away from the edge of the hob, and keep sharp knives away from younger visitors.  If you or a loved one receives a burn when cooking, hold the affected area under cold running water for at least 10 minutes.  Apply a sterile burns dressing  where possible, or wrap the area in cling film once it has cooled.  Seek medical advice when necessary.

Carving the turkey or chopping raw vegetables puts you at risk of cuts, and if you are unfortunate enough to cut your finger, clean the wound by placing it under cool running water or use an alcohol-free wipe.  Apply gentle pressure to the area and keep it elevated in order to minimise the bleeding, then dress with a sterile plaster or larger dressing.  If the bleeding persists or is heavy, call 999.

Watch your footing

Having an extended period of time off work or being able to relax with family and friends can often mean that higher volumes of alcohol are consumed.  Combined with icy driveways and footpaths, this can put you at greater risk of sprains and strains.  If you do suspect a sprain or strain, be sure to follow the RICE treatment:

• Rest – Rest the injury and discontinue the activity that caused it. Protect it from further harm.
• Ice – Applying an ice pack can reduce pain and swelling. Place a damp tea towel or triangular bandage between the skin and the ice to prevent frostbite. Apply for a maximum of 10 minutes and allow the skin to return to normal temperature before repeating.
• Compression– Apply a firm (not constructive) bandage to the injured area. This helps to reduce swelling. The bandage can be applied over a crushed ice pack for the first 10 minutes.
• Elevate – Elevate the injury. This also reduces swelling.

Poison

Whilst mistletoe certainly looks pretty and is symbolic of Christmas, eating the berries can be highly dangerous, so keep out of reach of children.  If a berry is consumed, encourage the child to spit out the remains and keep as still as possible.  Seek medical advice and watch out for signs of vomiting, hallucinations and sleepiness. 

Food poisoning is always a high risk at Christmas as it can be difficult to cook and store large volumes of food safely.  Ensure that the turkey is cooked thoroughly and juices run clear, and store all leftovers in the fridge once cool.  In the event of food poisoning, keep the person well hydrated and seek medical help in severe cases.

If you feel your first aid skills are a little rusty or you would like to undertake a first aid course to help to protect your family, get in touch with the First Response First Aid team today on 01543 372888 in order to discuss your training needs.