The holiday season brings family gatherings, festive meals, and long-awaited celebrations. Unfortunately, this time of year also brings a spike in emergency room visits for burns, cuts, falls, and other preventable injuries. Whether you’re preparing a holiday feast, hanging decorations, or hosting guests, safety should never take a back seat to celebration.
Given how our practice treats patients with traumatic wounds, we see frequently how quickly a minor injury can turn into a serious problem – especially for people with diabetes, circulation issues, or fragile skin. With a few precautions, you can keep the holidays joyful and safe for everyone in your home.
Kitchen Safety: A Must to Avoid Mishaps
Most holiday injuries start in the kitchen. Hot pans, open flames, and sharp knives can turn cooking into a dangerous activity if you’re rushed or distracted. Always keep pot handles turned inward to prevent accidental spills. Use oven mitts instead of damp towels when handling hot dishes and remember that moisture conducts heat and can cause deep burns in a few seconds.
Take your time with knives. A sharp knife is actually safer than a dull one, which requires more force and can slip easily. Cut on a stable surface and keep fingers tucked under when chopping. If a cut occurs, wash it immediately with soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover with a sterile bandage. Anyone with diabetes or poor circulation should monitor even small wounds closely and seek medical attention if redness or swelling develops.
Decorating Without Danger
Decorating the house is a cherished tradition, but it comes with risks. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Americans suffer about 160 holiday decorating-related injuries each day this time of year
Falls from ladders and slips on slick surfaces comprise about half of these holiday injuries, per CPSC statistics. When hanging lights or wreaths, make sure ladders are on stable, dry ground. Have someone hold the base, and never climb higher than the manufacturer recommends.
Check electrical cords and holiday lights for fraying before plugging them in. Overloaded outlets and damaged wires are frequent causes of household fires. Turn off decorative lights when leaving home or going to bed, and keep candles away from curtains, tablecloths, or greenery. Battery-operated candles can provide the same warm glow with none of the risk.
Protecting Skin and Extremities
Cooler, drier weather can lead to cracked skin, which opens the door to infection. Moisturize daily, especially on hands and feet. For those with diabetes, neuropathy can reduce feeling in the feet, making it easy to miss a blister or burn. Before stepping into a hot bath, test the water with your elbow, not your foot. Wear slippers or shoes indoors to protect against sharp objects and accidental burns from dropped cookware.
If you notice any sores, blisters, or open wounds that don’t heal promptly, seek care right away. Early treatment prevents complications and helps avoid infection.
Holiday Gatherings and Food Safety
Foodborne illness is another common seasonal threat. Keep raw meats separate from ready-to-eat foods, and use a food thermometer to ensure proper cooking temperatures. Refrigerate leftovers within two hours. Hand hygiene is essential—wash hands often, especially before handling food and after touching raw meat.
For those managing diabetes, it’s tempting to overindulge during festive meals. Maintain balanced blood sugar levels by watching portion sizes and including protein and vegetables alongside holiday favorites. Stable glucose levels improve circulation and reduce the risk of delayed wound healing.
When to Seek Specialized Help
Even with care, injuries happen. Burns, cuts, and ulcers that don’t heal within a few days should be evaluated by a medical professional. Specialized wound care centers provide advanced treatments that promote healing and prevent infection.
At the Wound Center of Tucson, our team treats all types of complex and slow-healing wounds, including diabetic ulcers and burns. We combine medical expertise with personalized care to help patients heal safely and return to their normal routines as quickly as possible.
If you or a loved one experiences a stubborn wound this holiday season, don’t wait for it to worsen. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Jeff Monash or a member of our team, call (520) 319-6000 or visit woundcenteroftucson.com.
Enjoy the holidays, but do so safely. A little preparation and mindfulness go a long way toward keeping your celebrations injury-free and your family healthy.