ACC, doctors warn against Christmas accidents

  • Breaking
  • 23/12/2013

There are plenty of warnings about safety on the roads and around water during the holidays, but ACC is also warning about accidents in the home.

"Accidents happen all times of the year and what's really important is to be vigilant throughout the year," says David Simpson of ACC. "There's certain things that do happen more around Christmas time when we're actually out and about."

In the week over Christmas last year, ACC received over 36,000 claims, costing around $24 million. Almost 10 percent of those claims were on Christmas Day.

The top three injuries were bruises, strains and sprains; lacerations and fractures; and dislocations.

Among the total claims, 220 related to Christmas trees, lights or presents.

"[There were] some really Christmas-specific things such as lifting Christmas trees and hurting our back, or hanging up Christmas decorations and falling off ladders or chairs," says Mr Simpson. "I think a really good example of Christmas is when people use knives to open Christmas presents, maybe instead of using the scissors."

Dr Brad Peckler saw holiday injuries first-hand in the emergency department at Wellington Hospital last year.

Most of them were from falls, and some very Christmas specific.

"I think I remember two cases in particular where people were hanging lights or trying to put things on the Christmas tree and they were on rickety chairs and they fell," says Dr Peckler.

He says there is also another factor that contributes to a number of injuries.

"A lot of it's centered around alcohol…lots of family parties and get-togethers and things like that."

It's the busiest time of year for Wellington Hospital's emergency department and a lot of injuries coming through the doors are entirely preventable.

So the plea from ACC and doctors is don't drink too much, and dads - stay off your teen's skateboard.

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source: newshub archive