The festive season should be filled with cheer, not anxiety and accidents. Yet the UK's National Accident Helpline (NAH) has unveiled stark findings on how the pursuit of a picture-perfect Christmas is causing "festive fear" and leading to injuries. Their research found that 27% of 2,000 surveyed individuals feel more stressed at this time of year, with women particularly affected - a notable 32% report heightened stress levels. The kitchen and hosting duties are major contributors to this tension, with over 13% of women (and significantly less men) feeling the heat when preparing the Christmas meal.
A cluttered household during the holidays can also add to the pressure for 18% of people, while 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men confess they're prone to rushing tasks amidst the seasonal frenzy. Despite the troubling fact that over 80,000 Brits end up in hospital due to festive-related falls, cuts, and burns, many dismiss these mishaps too lightly.
With safety in mind, we must remember to take care when decking our halls - especially regarding electrical and fire hazards such as Christmas lights and yuletide fires. According to the NAH, over 1 in 40 (2.7) people have experienced an electric shock due to poorly wired Christmas lights and 600,000 have scalded themselves while roasting chestnuts on an open fire. Before hanging them up, check fairy lights and any other electrically powered Christmas decorations.
