The Twelve Safety Tips of Christmas

It’s always great to keep your certificate and skills up to date, but it’s just as important to spot risks early and put simple steps in place to prevent accidents in the first place.

Here are twelve ideas about how to avoid classic seasonal accidents and illnesses so that you won't need to use your first aid skills over the festive season!

1. Cook Your Turkey Safely

The Food Standards Agency estimates 2.4 million cases of foodborne illness occur every year in the UK.[1] Undercooked turkey can cause salmonella poisoning, which can be life-threatening, especially for those who are very young, old or frail. Never take shortcuts with defrosting or cooking times. Defrost your turkey completely in the refrigerator (not on the counter), and use a food thermometer to ensure meat reaches safe internal temperatures. Use separate cutting boards for raw and cooked meats to prevent cross-contamination.

2. Keep Your Kitchen a Safe Zone

According to recent surveys, 49% of people have suffered an accident whilst preparing Christmas food, with 1 in 10 spilling hot fat on themselves and 1 in 5 cutting themselves whilst preparing vegetables.[2] Keep the kitchen as a cook-only zone during busy preparation times, especially keeping children and pets out when handling hot food and sharp knives. Never leave cooking unattended, and keep pan handles turned inward.

3. Check Toy Safety Markings

All toys should have either the CE mark or the UKCA mark to be sold legally in the UK. A 2024 report by the British Toy and Hobby Association found 85% of toys bought from online marketplaces have serious safety issues.[3] Buy from reputable sellers and avoid market stalls where toys may be illegally imported. Choose age-appropriate toys and avoid items with small parts for children under 3.

4. Be Vigilant with Button Batteries

Button batteries release corrosive acid that can burn the inside of intestines, causing major internal bleeding.[4] Many Christmas novelty items like musical cards and flashing decorations aren't covered by toy safety regulations, so check all batteries are securely fastened. Keep spare batteries locked away. If you suspect a child has swallowed a battery, take them to A&E immediately as lithium batteries can be fatal within hours.

5. Prevent Slips and Falls on Ice

More than 90,000 people were admitted to hospital for injuries relating to slips, trips and falls in 2012/13, with more than 60% involving people over the age of 70.[5] Wear shoes with good grip and rubber soles. Take small shuffling steps on icy surfaces, keeping both feet in contact with the ground. Use railings on stairs and steps. Grit your pathways and clear snow from walkways promptly.

6. Be Careful with Your Christmas Tree

Around 1,000 people are injured by their Christmas tree every year, usually while fixing decorations to the highest branches, and 350 people a year are injured by Christmas tree lights, including falls, electric shocks and burns. Use a proper stepladder, not chairs or stools, when decorating. Keep real trees well-watered as dry trees are serious fire hazards. Between 1997 and 2010, 26 people died in the UK from watering their Christmas tree with the lights on - always unplug lights first.

7. Clear Trip Hazards Indoors

Keep stairs and hallways clear of wrapping paper, boxes, bags and new toys which become major trip hazards at Christmas. Ensure decorative lights and cables are secured and not trailing across walkways. Good lighting is essential, especially for elderly visitors who may be unfamiliar with your home layout.

8. Keep Warm and Watch for Hypothermia

Each year there are around 27,000 excess winter deaths in England (2019/20, excluding COVID-19),[6] with most among older people and caused by respiratory problems, strokes and heart attacks due to cold temperatures. The NHS recommends a minimum home temperature of 18 degrees Celsius, which is especially vital for elderly people who have reduced mobility or health conditions. Hypothermia can develop in vulnerable people after relatively short exposure to cold weather, or even after a small drop in room temperature.

Exposure to cold can increase the risk of blood clots forming, in turn increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and increase susceptibility to chest infections.[7] Be particularly aware of elderly relatives, those with reduced mobility, cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, and anyone on certain medications. Signs of hypothermia include shivering, confusion, slurred speech and drowsiness. If suspected, call 999 and begin warming the person gently while waiting for help.

9. Be Careful with Alcohol

Britons drink 41% more in December than the annual monthly average.[8] Accidents are more likely to happen in the kitchen and home if you drink too much, with 49% of people suffering accidents whilst preparing Christmas food. Figures show that deaths caused by drugs and alcohol in 2010 and 2011 were 13% above the December/January average between December 21 and January 19.[9]
Alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks and perhaps wait until you sit down with a meal before you pour. Pace yourself throughout the day. Make sure any residual alcohol is emptied out of glasses, so children and pets can't get to them. If attending parties, plan your journey home in advance - arrange a designated driver, book a taxi, or use public transport. Four out of ten road fatalities over the Christmas period relate to car accidents that include at least one drunk driver.[10] December sees significantly higher road traffic accidents, up around 30% for women and 9% for men compared to other months.[11]

10. Practice Fire Safety with Decorations

People are 50% more likely to die in a house fire at Christmas than at any other time of the year.[12] Keep decorations, cards and trees away from candles, fires and heaters. Unattended candles cause significant fires - extinguish all candles before going to bed. Test your smoke alarms monthly and never borrow batteries from them to power Christmas toys. Don't overload electrical sockets with decorative lights.

11. Check on Elderly Neighbours

Regularly check on elderly neighbours during cold weather to ensure their homes are adequately heated and they have sufficient food and medication. Many older people are reluctant to use heating due to cost concerns, or may not realize how cold their home has become. A friendly check-in can be lifesaving, and helps combat the isolation many feel during winter.

12. Know When to Call 999

More than 80,000 people arrive in UK Emergency Departments for Christmas-related accidents, with 6,000 needing to be admitted.[15] The NHS is under severe pressure during winter, with long ambulance waiting times. However, if you experience heart attack or stroke symptoms (chest pain, sudden weakness, difficulty speaking, facial drooping), still call 999 immediately - every minute counts. For non-emergency health concerns, use NHS 111, your pharmacist, or your GP.

Have a safe and happy Christmas! Remember: awareness and simple precautions can prevent most festive accidents.

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References
[1] Food Standards Agency (2018). Foodborne Disease Estimates for the United Kingdom.
[2] RoSPA and National Accident Helpline surveys on Christmas food preparation accidents.
[3] British Toy and Hobby Association (2024). Online marketplace toy safety report.
[4] NHS guidance on button battery dangers and chemical burns.
[5] Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), slip and fall statistics 2012/13.
[6] Office for National Statistics (2020). Excess winter mortality in England and Wales: 2019/20 (excluding COVID-19 deaths).
[7] OHID Public Health Outcomes Framework and NHS cold weather guidance.
[8] Eastlondonlines (2015). Christmas accidents: 'Tis the season to be cautious - alcohol consumption statistics.
[9] Eastlondonlines (2015). Deaths caused by drugs and alcohol statistics December/January 2010-2011.
[10] HNK Solicitors (2025). Road traffic accidents and drink driving over Christmas period.
[11] Office for National Statistics. Road traffic accident statistics by month and gender.
[12] Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Christmas fire statistics.
[13] RoSPA Christmas tree and decoration injury statistics.
[14] First Aid for Life, Christmas tree safety statistics 1997-2010.
[15] RoSPA Christmas A&E attendance statistics.

 

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