Common Holiday Accidents and Safety Tips
For many, the year-end holidays are a time for joy, celebration, and togetherness. But amid the decorating, cooking, and gift-giving, accidents and injuries do happen. From falls to burns and more, the season brings unique risks that can quickly turn festivities into emergencies.
The good news? With a little awareness and preparation, many holiday accidents can be prevented.
Holiday Decorating Accidents
Decorating is one of the most cherished traditions of the season—but it also brings its own dangers.
- Each year, an average of 160 decorating-related injuries occur every day during the holiday season, with nearly half from falls.
- In the 2023 holiday season alone, 14,900 people were treated in emergency rooms for decorating-related injuries.
Holiday Decorating Safety Tips
- Keep live Christmas trees well-watered to reduce fire risk, from the time you put it out until the time you take it down. Make sure artificial trees are “Fire Resistant.”
- Use flameless candles when possible; otherwise, never leave them unattended or near flammable items.
- Avoid stringing together more than three sets of incandescent lights, and never overload electrical outlets.
- Always inspect lights and extension cords for damage before use.
- Use a ladder that is a stable, high-quality ladder, have someone who can hold it steady, and ensure that it is on a level surface. Follow OSHA’s Ladder Safety Do’s and Don’ts.
- Lift safely. Bend at the knees and keep your back straight. Don’t carry too much at once, and use a trolley to move bulky items.
Cooking Accidents
The kitchen is a hotbed of activity for the holidays – as well as for holiday accidents. It’s easy to get burned from the oven or scalded by boiling pots of liquid.
- Thanksgiving Day is the peak day for cooking fires, with an average of 1,400 fires occurring on this day—three times the daily average.
- Cooking is the leading cause of residential fires, according to a CPSC report. Of the 352,400 home fires every year, cooking fires account for nearly 45%.
- Food poisoning, allergic reactions, and alcohol poisoning increase during the holidays.
Holiday Cooking Safety Tips
- Never leave food unattended on the stove or in the oven.
- Always wear oven mitts when handling hot cookware and keep pot handles turned inward to prevent an accidental knock.
- Keep children and pets safely away from the kitchen while cooking.
- Clean up spills immediately to prevent slip hazards
- Store leftovers in the fridge within two hours of serving to avoid foodborne illnesses.
- Reheat food properly and dispose of anything that has been sitting in the fridge for too long.
Toy Safety
Gift-giving is the best part for children, and as adults, we love to watch them open gifts! But unsafe toys can pose serious risks.
- In 2023, there were 10 toy-related deaths and 154,700 ER visits for children under 12.
- The CPSC and U.S. Customs seized 1.5 million dangerous or illegal toys in 2024, including 102,000 lead-related toys.
Toy Safety Tips
- Follow age guidance and other safety information on toy packaging.
- If you get gifts such as bikes, be sure to get the related safety gear (i.e., helmets, for bikes and other riding toys.
- Keep small balls and toys with small parts away from children younger than age 3, and keep deflated balloons away from children younger than age 8.
- Discard plastic wrappings or other packaging on toys before they become dangerous playthings.
Cord Safety Tips
The holidays mean more temporary cords and cables that can be dangerous. These are easily forgotten since a cord or cable may not be in that location normally, and they may not be secured adequately.
Cord Safety Tips:
- Tape down cords along their entire length, or use a cord saver to secure the cord to the floor.
- Take the extra time to route cords in out-of-the-way and low-traffic areas.
- If a cord has to be run in a high-traffic area, make sure it remains visible.
Icy Patches
Icy patches on paths, driveways, and roads make winter a prime time for slips and falls, and a quick misstep on the icy ground can lead to injuries ranging from mild bruises to serious fractures.
- Wear footwear with good grip (traction), especially if you expect to be walking on snow or ice
- Apply salt or sand to icy surfaces around your home and driveway
- Take your time and walk carefully, especially on slick surfaces
- Use handrails when navigating stairs or icy steps
Automobile accidents.
Holiday travel is risky:
- More than 600 people die in U.S. crashes during the days around Christmas and New Year’s.
- Causes include alcohol impairment, fatigue, and being distracted.
Driving Safety Tips
- Never drink and drive—arrange a designated driver or rideshare.
- Avoid driving when tired.
- Stay alert and minimize distractions.
WHY HIRE NASH & FRANCISKATO?
The holidays should be filled with joy, not tragedy. But if you or a loved one suffers a holiday accident, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone.
At Nash & Franciskato, we have a proven track record of helping accident victims secure the compensation they deserve.
Call us today at (877) 284-6600 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. One of our experienced staff members will speak with you personally.
START YOUR FREE CASE EVALUATION
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on December 19, 2024. It was reviewed and updated on December 4, 2025.
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