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Ten health risks to watch out for this Christmas - from overeating to electric shock

Christmas celebrations bring joy but also hidden health dangers - from decorating injuries to food poisoning, here are essential tips to keep your family safe and healthy this festive season

[Sick woman blowing nose in facial tissue at home]

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Nobody wants to feel sick or get injured at Christmas - but there are ways to reduce your risk(Image: Getty Images/Westend61)

Christmas is usually synonymous with turkey roasts, mulled wine, and endless reruns of Love Actually rather than a trip to the hospital but to keep it that way, there are a few key pointers to remember.

While many of us want to celebrate with our nearest and dearest, there are still health and safety risks associated with Christmas, so it's vital to make sure you're prepared. Catching a virus, overdoing it on the booze, and stress are just a few of the hazards that come with Christmas festivities.

From making sure ladders are secure to looking after your emotional wellbeing, we've broken down some top tips for staying safe and merry this holiday season. See the full list of the top ten Christmas health risks and how to prevent disaster below.

[Grandpa holding his grandson in his arms and decorating the Christmas tree together.]

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While Christmas decorating can be great fun - it also carries risks(Image: Getty Images)

1. Decorating injuries

The job of putting up Christmas decorations might not seem particularly risky, but research by the National Accident Helpline (NHA) suggests otherwise. More than 1 in 50 (2.1%) have tumbled out of the loft while fetching decorations.

And according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), about 1,000 people are injured by their Christmas tree each year, typically when trying to hang decorations on the higher branches. Make sure your ladder is stable on a flat surface and wear sturdy shoes instead of slippers. It might also be sensible to delay the eggnog until after the decorating is done.

2. Electric shocks

Christmas often involves a deep dive into the back of the cupboard to unearth decorations that have seen better days. Light sets, which have been coiled up in storage and left to become brittle over 11 months of hibernation, can end up with exposed wires.

[File image of Christmas lights along a fence]

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Christmas lights that have seen better days can pose a risk(Image: Getty)

These faulty lights can give you a nasty shock literally so it's crucial to inspect your lights and other electrically powered decorations for signs of frayed cables or damaged fittings before you plug them in. If you're unsure, it's best to bin them.

3. Colds and contagious illnesses

Cold weather alone can't make you ill, but it can increase your chances of catching something. Being indoors with others may be comforting, but as we learned during the Covid-19 pandemic, close contact without proper ventilation can lead to viruses spreading more easily.

Plus, some studies suggest that your immune system is weakened by the cold, making it harder to fight off illness. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water regularly and consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement.

4. Overeating

Yes, over-indulgence is practically a given at Christmas, with almost half of Brits admitting they expect to drink more than the recommended daily units of alcohol. But it's still important to maintain a balanced diet, which means plenty of fruit and vegetables alongside that box of chocolates.

[A display of assorted chocolate and sweet boxes of Nestle Quality Street, Cadburys Roses and Heroes plus Mars Celebrations piled up in the Christmas themed window]

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It's all-too easy to overindulge at Christmas(Image: Getty)

5. Binge drinking

If you find yourself reaching for the booze more often than usual, keep in mind the 1-for-1 rule: match every alcoholic beverage with a glass of water. Binge drinking is another pitfall to be wary of during the festive frolics.

While it's absolutely fine to let your hair down and soak up the holiday spirit, particularly when there's no alarm clock to dread the next morning, it's vital to drink sensibly. Don't even think about getting behind the wheel if you've had one too many or even just a couple - research reveals that over a third of people underestimate how sloshed they really are.

6. Food poisoning

Food poisoning is another unwelcome guest that could gatecrash your Christmas celebrations. Overeating can play havoc with your digestive system, but food left out overnight without being chilled (like yesterday's turkey) or undercooked (like dodgy-looking salmon) can lead to serious trouble.

To dodge a gut-wrenching episode of food poisoning raining on your Christmas parade, stick to the Health and Safety Executive's food safety guidelines.

[Christmas dinner]

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Make sure you're storing food safely to avoid a Christmas spent in the bathroom...(Image: Getty Images)

7. Deep cuts

Deep cuts are another frequent mishap during the Yuletide festivities, often resulting from prepping the Christmas dinner, slicing through gift wrap, or tidying up shattered glass from a broken bauble. While it's impossible to completely sidestep these injuries, taking it slow and steering clear of sharp objects post-tipples can minimise the risk.

8. Smoke inhalation and burns

Inhaling smoke and suffering burns are other potential risks that come with the festive season. From Christmas trees and candles to roaring fireplaces and overdone turkey crowns, Christmas certainly has its fair share of fire hazards.

Always keep a watchful eye on open flames and never leave them unattended. Plus, if you've indulged in a few tipples, be extra careful when handling candles.

[Glowing Christmas fireplace and living room, with tree, and stockings hanging from mantel by fireplace.Waiting for Santa.]

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It can be tempting to get a cosy fire going over Christmas - but make sure you're doing it safely(Image: Getty Images)

9. Choking

We're all chomping at the bit to tuck into Grandma's homemade Christmas pudding, but scoffing it down too quickly can lead to choking. If there are little ones or pets about, bear in mind that small toys - the sort found in stockings - can easily be mistaken for nibbles. It's best to keep these out of reach of inquisitive children or animals.

10. Anxiety

Reuniting with relatives you haven't seen since last Christmas can stir up anxiety for some. In the run-up to Christmas, the pressure of making everything perfect can become overwhelming. Remember, you don't have to do everything, or even anything and despite all the hype, it really is just one day in the year.

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