Hurt for the Holidays: Keep Off Santa’s Injured List

‘Tis the season to be jolly, but could Americans be neglecting their personal safety? Among those who celebrate the holiday season, 30 percent admit to injuring themselves while participating in holiday-related activities, and nearly 1 in 4 of those injuries were serious enough to seek medical attention. Cuts from opening or wrapping packages or gifts, slipping and falling outdoors, and cooking-related injuries are the most-cited holiday hazards.

Of the 30 percent of celebrators who admit to injuring themselves during holiday activities, Gen Zers are the most injury-prone, howith 40 percent unable to claim their holidays were without harm. Americans with young children followed closely behind at 39 percent.

Holiday hazards and injuries:

• 13 percent say they cut themselves while wrapping or opening gifts
• 11 percent report hurting themselves from slipping or tripping outdoors
  • 6 percent also say they’ve slipped or tripped over holiday-related objects indoors
• 10 percent cite cooking-related injuries
  • Women (13 percent) are more likely to be injured while cooking vs men (7 percent)
• 6 percent have experienced candle burns
• 5 percent report being injured from lifting heavy objects

Injuries are bound to happen, but alcohol may add fuel to the fire with 12 percent of celebrators reporting they were intoxicated at the time of their injury. 18 percent of respondents admitted to setting up their Christmas tree while under the influence.

On the topic of trees, Americans may be slowly losing interest in real trees in favor of artificial trees. For the 2022 holiday season, only 20 percent plan on buying a real tree. This is a slight decline from last year when 21 percent planned on a live tree, and 24 percent opted for the real thing in 2020. However, 9 percent say they plan to have one of each (a 1 percent jump from last year), and another 9 percent were undecided at the time of the survey.

Nothing spreads holiday cheer like holiday lights – when used responsibly of course. However, 78 percent of Americans who’ve put up holiday lights admit to leaving them on overnight – up from 70 percent according to ValuePenguin’s survey in 2021.

When considering holiday safety, don’t forget about family pets. Almost half of pet owners (47 percent) report their pets have messed up or destroyed holiday decorations. This number jumps to 53 percent among parents with young children, and 58 percent among GenZ pet owners. Lessons are learned over time, as the older generation is the least likely demographic (32 percent) to have pets wreak havoc on holiday decor.