Watch Out for Flying Corks and Falling Trees These Holidays

Christmas tree injuries are also popular at this time of year. Did you know ACC received 118 claims in 2023 alone for Christmas tree mishaps? Their advice is to use a stepladder to hang decorations, “not a chair, or worst still, a chair on a table” and ensure your Christmas tree is on a sturdy base to prevent it from falling over. Over the last decade, nearly 1,200 people have tangled with their tinsel-covered trees, resulting in injuries like muscle strains and ligament tears, often occurring while lifting or moving their festive centrepiece.

Speaking of general holiday hazards, here’s another one: Christmas lights. Tripping over those tangled wires is practically a rite of passage. So stay on your feet (and out of the ER), by securing those cords against walls instead of running them across the floor like some festive booby trap.

Planning to tackle some holiday DIY projects? Fantastic! Just don’t forget your most important accessory: safety glasses. Whether you’re building your magnum opus in the garage or engaging in an epic nerf gun battle with the kids, protect your eyes. Those soft foam projectiles may look harmless, but they can travel at speeds up to 70kph and cause serious eye damage – even blindness – if they hit the bullseye (pun intended).