With the twinkling lights on rooftops, sparkling ornaments on the tree, and holiday parties, it is the most wonderful time of year! But with these holiday decorations and festivities, comes the risk of injury. It is one of the busiest times of year for urgent care centers. Placing that star on top of the tree or those lights along your roof can result in falls that cause hip fractures, broken bones, and shoulder dislocations. While these injuries may be hilarious in Christmas classics like the light fiasco in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and ice disaster in Home Alone, don’t let them happen to you!
At ORTHOKnox, we’ve got you covered if you take a tumble while decorating your home or rocking around the tree, but we would much rather you stay cozy at home. Check out our top holiday tips to keep you and your loved ones safe this Christmas season!
- Check Your Ladder, Check It Twice!
Is it on an even surface? Are all the rungs sturdy? Is it icy? Get some family bonding in and ask Uncle Joe to stabilize the ladder. Watch out for wind if you are outside!
- Baby, Wear the Right Shoes Outside
Don’t try to do heavy lifting, shuffle across the ice, or scramble around on your roof in your reindeer slippers. Wear properly fitting and sturdy shoes that won’t slip!
- Don’t Let Grandma Get Run Over by a Reindeer!
This is the time of year to cherish family time and that includes grandma! Help out the seniors in your life with their Christmas decorating and cooking. Falls off of step ladders and kitchen accidents are common this time of year but most can be prevented. Grandma may even let you sample the baked goodies, too!
- *Carefully* Rock Around the Christmas Tree
Make sure the kids and pets aren’t racing around the Christmas tree while you are balanced trying to place the star on top. It’s easy to get carried away with the excitement of presents on Christmas morning but don’t let little Tommy try out his new bike on the ice or little Susan wipe out on the Christmas wrapping scattered on the floor.
- Have a Holly Jolly No Back Injury Christmas!
Presents should be a surprise but should hopefully not include a surprise back injury! Remember to lift all of your ordered packages, wrapped presents, and your in-laws’ heavy luggage with your legs. Try not to injure yourself in the excitement (or because you’re looking for an excuse to avoid the in-laws), but we’ve got you covered at ORTHOKnox if you do (with the injuries, not your in-laws)!
If you or the Clark Griswold in your life is injured during the Christmas festivities here in East Tennessee, you can head over to ORTHOKnox so the board-certified surgeons and on-site physical therapists can provide you with the best treatment available. With our Urgent Orthopaedic Care, we hope to get you started on treatment and back to festivities with your family as soon as possible!
For more information about how ORTHOKnox can treat your holiday injury, call (865) 251-3030, or fill out our easy-to-use online appointment request form. We look forward to hearing from you.
