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Holiday Hazards: Staying Safe from Accidents This Season

Dec 17, 2025

‘Tis the season for holiday cheer!

Did you know? Decking the halls is potentially unsafe, with an average of 160 injuries every day of the season related to holiday decorating.

Beyond decorating, winter brings a unique set of hazards: icy danger zones on streets, increased risks of foodborne illness, and more frequent traffic accidents.

Learn about the most common holiday hazards and how to avoid them, so you can be merry and bright all holiday season long.

Avoiding winter slips and falls

Outdoor hazards like wet, icy or snowy sidewalks and roads are common in Pennsylvania during the holiday season. Even a small amount of freezing rain or sleet can produce dangerously slick conditions that aren’t visible until it’s too late.

Trying to catch yourself during a winter slip or fall can frequently cause a wrist fracture, making it one of the most common cold-weather injuries. Other common injuries include sprains, dislocations, and fractures.

We all know avoiding ice helps prevent winter slips and falls. Other ways to stay safe? Clear all snowy walkways, wear footwear with sleet-resistant soles, and use handrails outdoors when available.

Are traffic accidents worse during the holidays?

Traffic accidents are certainly not limited to the holiday season. However, there tend to be more traffic accidents during this time due to:

  • Negligent driving – Driving drunk, drowsy, distracted or reckless are all common causes of accidents. Always stay sober, alert and follow the speed limit behind the wheel!
  • Hazardous weather – Nationally, every year, nearly 900 people are killed and nearly 76,000 people are injured in vehicle crashes when snow or sleet is falling. Switch to snow tires for the season to create traction when driving in heavy snow.
  • More traffic – More people on the roads increases the chances of accidents. Drive defensively and cautiously around other drivers. Always check traffic patterns online before travel.

Are you traveling by plane, bus, or train? Heavy luggage can lead to strains and sprains, and falling luggage can cause injuries. Stay safe from injuries from both yours and others luggage.

Can holiday decorating be dangerous?

Ladder safety
Falls from ladders make up more than 40% of holiday decorating-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Follow these ladder safety tips to avoid falling:

  • Make sure the ladder is on a level surface and the areas above and below you are clear.
  • Have a helper hold the ladder for you, especially when you climb up high.
  • If something is out of reach, climb down and move the ladder instead of overreaching.

Electrical safety
Holiday lights can create fire hazards in numerous ways. All those extra wires and cords also create tripping hazards inside and outside your home.

When you decorate with holiday lights, keep these safety tips in mind:

  • Replace any lights that have frayed or bare wires, broken or cracked plugs, or loose connections.
  • Only use outdoor-rated lights, cords, and outlets for outdoor decorations.
  • Avoid running cords across high-traffic areas or through doorways.
  • Turn off all lights and decorations when you leave home or go to bed.

Is food poisoning more common during the holidays?

Foods like undercooked chicken or turkey, raw dough, and expired milk are some of the most common causes of foodborne illnesses – also known as food poisoning – during the holiday season.

Typical symptoms of foodborne illnesses include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. These symptoms can appear within hours of eating contaminated food and are usually short-lived, but severe symptoms or signs of dehydration often require medical attention.

To protect yourself and your family:

  • Wash your hands before, during, and after preparing food.
  • Cook all food to the correct internal temperature by using a food thermometer to check.
  • Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meats separate from ready-to-eat foods.
  • Chill leftovers promptly and refrigerate perishable food within two hours.

Visit vybe urgent care for your holiday-related injuries

If you experience any pain, sprains, fractures, or significant injuries from slips and falls or other accidents during the holiday season, vybe urgent care is here to help with same-day injury care. Walk in or book an appointment online at any vybe location today!

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vybe urgent care is Philadelphia’s leading independent urgent care provider delivering care to adults and children throughout the Philadelphia region. Open 7 days a week, vybe is an affordable and convenient alternative to long emergency room wait times and the limited hours of family physicians. vybe welcomes walk-ins, but appointments are available for your convenience. vybe accepts major insurance and Medicaid plans and offers full urgent care services, such as illness and injury treatment, digital x-rays, EKGs, lab testing, physicals, immunizations, and occupational medicine. vybe is fully accredited by the Urgent Care Association (UCA), which is the highest level of distinction for urgent care centers and ensures high levels of patient safety and quality. Find the medical care you need with the convenience you want at vybe urgent care locations throughout the Philadelphia area.