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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Grady Chief of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Leon Haley, urges everyone to celebrate safely this holiday season. He provides his tips for avoiding some of the top injuries he and his team see in the ER this time of year.
1. Holiday-related falls and slipping on ice. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 500,000 injuries from rake and ladder use in 2009. Exercise caution when hanging and taking down decorations, especially when using a ladder. And, even in the South, always be cautious about patches of ice or wet leaves when heading out on the roads.
2. Fire: According to the U.S. Fire Association, there are some 945 winter residential deaths across the nation each year, and more than 3,800 injuries. And household incidents cost about $1.7 Billion in property loss each year. Make sure your tree is well-watered and check all holiday lights for defects. Also be sure to never leave open flames, such as candles or fires in the hearth, unattended.
3. Alcohol: Drinking and driving is a big problem during the holidays. But so is alcohol poisoning from overconsumption. The CDC estimates that 79,000 deaths and many more injuries occur as a direct result of excessive alcohol consumption each year. Limit yourself to no more than one-drink per hour and have a glass of water in between. And always designate a non-drinking driver.
4. Food: The holidays can be a time of happy overindulgence. But it is very important, especially for people with pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease, to continue to practice moderate, healthy eating. Have a few healthy snacks, like fruit or vegetables, in between meals to prevent overeating. And pick one small desert or share a treat with a loved one. Don’t let the joy of eating at the holidays send you to the ER.
5. Flu: While we haven’t seen an overwhelming number of cases yet, the latest CDC Flu surveillance shows that the flu is quickly picking up steam in certain areas around the country. The holidays are no time to be sick, so be sure to frequently wash your hands and eat healthy—especially when you will likely be exposed to large numbers of people at the malls or during Christmas gatherings.
Dr. Leon Haley is the Chief of Emergency Medicine at Grady Hospital in Atlanta and a member of the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission.
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