Stay alert and stay out of hospital this festive season 鈥� that鈥檚 the message from 黑料吃瓜网 Health which aims to see less people unnecessarily in hospital emergency wards this Christmas.
As families break their regular habits for the holidays, it is often a momentary lapse of concentration that results in people being hurt or injured.
Falling off chairs and ladders while decorating for Christmas, eye injuries, poisoning and bites are high on the list of reasons many land in hospital.
Dr Kerry Chant, 黑料吃瓜网 Health鈥檚 Chief Health Officer, said a simple slip from a ladder while placing Christmas lights up on the roof could result in devastation or death for families over Christmas when, really, they should be celebrating.
鈥淎lways make sure you have someone with you and don鈥檛 stand on things which aren鈥檛 stable enough to hold you.
鈥淒efinitely don鈥檛 do anything that requires your full attention while you are under the influence of alcohol,鈥� Dr Chant said.
Parents are also warned to be aware of what their children are up to, as small toy parts, liquid from glow sticks, batteries and even high-pressured hoses and water guns could seriously hurt children.
Parents are also advised not to ride their children鈥檚 Christmas toys.
鈥淚f you don鈥檛 know how to ride a skateboard, it鈥檚 going to hurt when you hit the ground,鈥� Dr Chant said.
For the elderly and those with chronic conditions, the message is: don鈥檛 overdo it. They are also advised to make sure they have enough medication and an up-to-date copy of relevant prescriptions if travelling. Health care providers such as GPs and Chemists may also have reduced hours. Make sure you check and have sufficient medications on hand for the entire Christmas period.
Elderly relatives may also not cope well with the usual heat over Christmas. If you are going away, make sure someone is available to check on them and help them if you are away.
Dr Chant said people shouldn鈥檛 be fooled into thinking injuries and illness can鈥檛 happen to them at Christmas.
鈥淒uring the festive season, people do more than they normally would, consume more than they normally would, and take more risks than they normally would.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to be mindful of yourself, your family and your loved ones as it is often that momentary distraction when people suffer a fall, a burn, or something worse,鈥� Dr Chant said.
鈥淎 trip to the hospital emergency ward is not how anyone should spend Christmas.鈥�
Here鈥檚 a list of common 鈥� and avoidable 鈥� reasons people end up in hospital.