15 most common accidents at Christmas

Christmas is a season of joy, celebration, and togetherness, but it can also come with its fair share of unexpected risks and Christmas accidents. 

From the glow of fairy lights to the crackle of a roaring fire, festive traditions bring warmth and magic into our homes throughout the season. However, they can also pose hazards if not handled with care.

This blog post is your ultimate guide to staying safe over the holiday season. We’ll cover everything from preventing Christmas tree fires to avoiding allergic reactions at the dinner table, ensuring your celebrations remain fun for the whole family. 

By taking a few simple precautions, you can enjoy the season without worry, keeping your family, friends, and pets safe. So, whether you’re putting up decorations, cooking a feast, or popping open a bottle of bubbly, read on for practical Christmas home safety tips and advice to help you celebrate Christmas safely. 

1. Christmas tree fires

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree… please don’t set on fire this holiday season. Whilst many people now opt for artificial trees that they can store away in the attic for the year, there are still a few of us who prefer a classic real one instead. However, they can be a recipe for disaster. From dry trees to faulty lights and open flames, your tree could go up in any second. 

How to keep yourself safe: 

If you’re opting for a real Christmas tree this year, not only do you need to know how to look after it and keep it well watered, but you also need to protect it too and prevent house fires. Always be sure to check your fairy lights before placing them on the tree - looking for any frayed wiring or broken bulbs, and a CE certification. And, whilst a tree by an open fire may seem incredibly aesthetic, it’s really best to keep yours well away from the fireplace and any lit candles. 

2. Electrical accidents

And talking of things going up in flames - the rest of your home is at risk too this festive season. Electrical accidents can be extremely common over Christmas time, especially with lots of new lights, decorations and gadgets overloading outlets and extension cords. Damaged lights, like on your Christmas tree, can also cause electrical fires. 

How to keep yourself safe: 

As with any electrical, any time of year, always be sure to check the condition of the wires and cables before plugging them in. If you’re needing to plug multiple things into an outlet or extension cord, be sure to use surge protectors to help minimise the risk of a fire. Try to avoid leaving multiple things plugged in and on overnight - especially Christmas lights. 

3. Fireplace mishaps

A roaring fire on Christmas day is the epitome of seasonal aesthetic, but it isn’t always safe. Whether it's a blocked chimney that smokes up your living room to a flammable object close to the fire, fireplace safety needs to be a number one priority if you have one. 

How to keep yourself safe: 

If you have a fireplace, it’s important to regularly clean your chimney (or have it professionally cleaned). How often will depend on how frequently you use your fireplace, but it’s important to consistently check for any blockages - including animals and nests. If you’re going for the full Christmas aesthetic, be sure to keep your stockings and decorations at a safe distance away from any open flames, and to use a protection screen when in use. These tips will help you to prevent fire damage in your home.  

4. Carbon monoxide poisoning

Fires and blockages aren’t the only accident that fireplaces can cause over the colder months. Fireplaces, especially those that are not ventilating properly, can release carbon monoxide, which can make you and your family incredibly vulnerable. Faulty gas heaters and boilers can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning, too. 

How to keep yourself safe: 

To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, it’s incredibly important to keep your spaces well ventilated and install CO detectors - not just smoke detectors - close to boilers, heaters and fireplaces. You should also have your boilers and heaters regularly inspected by a professional, who will inform you if they are faulty or at risk. 

5. Burns from cooking or candles

Over the holiday season, we’ll have many things burning, from candles to the Christmas cake Dad forgot to take out of the oven. However, with all this heat around, the risk of yourself getting burnt rises massively. The kitchen, especially, can be a dangerous place to be in, with ovens, hot pans and stoves seemingly on at all hours as you prepare for your festive feast. 

How to keep yourself safe: 

Whilst kitchen and fire safety is often drilled into us from a young age, when a lot of things are going on and lots of things are cooking, it can be too easy to take your eye off the ball. 

Try to set timers for all your different dishes, so that you know exactly when they need to come off heat and you can turn off your appliances. You could also keep an indoor security camera in your kitchen too, so that you can keep an eye on your cooking if you need to leave the room. Keep candles in safe candle holders, or instead opt for LED faux candles, and keep flammable objects away from the heat at all times.

6. Allergies

When it comes to food, be careful with those who have allergies. Cross-contamination can be rife in busy households with lots of food, along with accidentally mixing up safe foods with others. 

How to keep yourself safe: 

Whilst pre-packaged foods should include a list of all major allergens, remember that there still may be a risk of cross-contamination. Oftentimes, those with the allergy will know the best about what they can and cannot eat or be around, so be sure to ask ahead of time. All allergy-safe food should be kept well away from others, to prevent it from being mixed up or accidentally being contaminated. 

7. Food poisoning

As much as Christmas dinner could be the meal you’ve been waiting for all year, cases of food poisoning can be rife around Christmas time. From cross-contamination to undercooked meat and spoiled leftovers, food at this time of year can really become a recipe for disaster. 

How to keep yourself safe: 

When cooking, ensure that you are keeping clean and tidy workstations, and cooking your food - especially meats - to the proper temperature. A meat thermometer can help if you are unsure. Make sure to store your leftovers in airtight containers and with dated labels, so you know when they need to be eaten. 

8. Poisonous plants 

Holly. Mistletoe. Poinsettias. The plants that really make your home feel like Christmas. However, did you know that these plants can be potentially toxic to your pets? From a little extra drool to vomiting and diarrhoea, your pets could become incredibly unwell very quickly. 

How to keep yourself safe: 

Before bringing any plants into your home, whatever time of year it is, it’s important to first check whether it could be poisonous to your pet. The plants mentioned above are only considered toxic if ingested, so if you do decide to buy some, keep your pets safe by keeping them in places where your pet would be less inclined to sniff them out and try a taste. 

9. Choking hazards for kids and pets

What’s more, for families with children or pets, choking is also a huge risk over the Christmas period. Around this time of year, everything seems small - decorations, hooks, wrappers - and should your little loved one try to eat them… Well, you don’t even want to think about it. 

How to keep yourself safe: 

When you have little ones around, it may be best to avoid all small things all together, but we understand that that can’t always be done. If you can’t, instead try to keep breakable ornaments high up the Christmas tree, to avoid any falling or being grabbed by little hands, and avoid small, edible-looking decor completely. Yes, even that cute croissant tree ornament. .

10. Small batteries, magnets and medicine 

Whilst we mentioned that small items can be a choking hazard for children and pets, it’s also incredibly important to mention the risks of other, more dangerous small items found at Christmas time - button batteries, magnets and medicines. 

Button batteries, found in many children's toys, release a corrosive acid which can cause fatalities, but are small enough to go missing and easily be swallowed. Many children’s toys also include very strong, small magnets that can twist in the gut if swallowed. Finally, medicines are also a common accidental poisoning in pets and children, if they were found in a bag or fell on the ground. 

How to keep yourself safe: 

When helping your children open their presents, check the box of toys to see whether the item contains any magnets or batteries. If they come loose, or if people also give batteries if the present needs them, be sure to lock them away out of reach. When it comes to medicines, talk to your family members about keeping them out of reach, such as in a high cupboard or a zipped up bag that is on them at all times. If you worry that your child or pet has swallowed any of these items, seek emergency treatment immediately. 

11. Knock-off toys

Speaking of toys, did you know that not all toys are safe - even if they’re classed as age-appropriate? When purchasing gifts for children, whether it be online, on market stalls or in pop-up seasonal shops, these toys could actually be illegally imported and not meet the strict safety guidelines set up by the UK and EU governments. This could include toxins, flammability, small parts and sharp edges - all dangers to children. 

How to keep yourself safe: 

Always be sure to purchase toys and gifts from reputable retailers, and check for the European Standard CE or the British Lion Mark, to ensure that they have been tested to the highest standards of quality and safety. Other ways to identify knock-off toys include checking the logo, product description and packaging against a real one - either in-store or online. 

12. Silica gel

You know those tiny little packages that come in toy packaging? This is silica gel - a substance that sucks up water in the environment to keep moisture out of electrical equipment, clothes, shoes, bags and toys. Whilst they are non-toxic, they are small and easily missed, which could result in a choking hazard for your child or pet. 

How to keep yourself safe: 

If an item comes with a silica gel sachet, it’s important to immediately take it away and bin it. Whilst some people tend to keep hold of them, once you have your item, you no longer need it. 

13. Falling whilst decorating

Falling whilst decorating your home for Christmas is more common than you think. Whether you’re climbing ladders to put up some fairy lights, balancing on a chair to hide the Christmas day snacks in the top cupboard, or reaching high to put the star on top of the tree, you need to be extra cautious. 

How to keep yourself safe: 

To avoid falling from a height this Christmas, make sure that you’re always using a stable pair of ladders, and that you have someone there to both support the ladders and be there to help if something was to go amiss. If you can’t reach high enough, avoid overreaching and instead ask someone a little taller to help out. 

14. Other slips and falls

Unfortunately, even if you’re not helping with the decorating, you may not be escaping the risk of falling. Slips and falls are far more common over the cooler months - and especially in the lead-up to Christmas. From cluttered spaces and busy households to wet floors and icy steps, slip-and-trip hazards seem to be around every corner. 

How to keep yourself safe: 

Whilst it can be too easy to let everything get on top of you over the season, it’s important to try and keep a clean and tidy home. Keep walkways clean and clutter-free, and wipe up any spills that occur the moment you notice them. Doormats around both the front and back door are ideal for drying off your shoes before traipsing in the wet, and keep a bag of grit salt handy for melting any ice or snow on your outdoor steps or walkways. 

15. Overconsumption of alcohol

Most people enjoy a tipple or two over the festive season - especially some creamy egg nog, a bubbly buck’s fizz, or a warming Bailey’s hot chocolate - however, accidents may be more likely to occur if you have too much to drink. From drink-driving to falls or passing out, too much alcohol can become a huge risk. 

How to keep yourself safe: 

If you’re planning to enjoy some alcoholic beverages over the holidays, it’s important to remember your limits. Remember to eat plenty, space out your alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic ones, and refrain from drinking if you have some Christmas responsibilities - such as cooking or decorating the house. Should you decide to drink away from home, be sure to organise a way home that doesn’t involve you driving under the influence - such as a taxi, walking, or having a friend or family member pick you up. 

Christmas safety tips

To keep your family, friends and pets safe over this festive period, we’ve come up with 10 Christmas safety tips to help keep you accident-free (along with all the tips above). 

1. Install a home security system

Home security systems go beyond preventing break-ins -they can also play a key role in accident prevention. Many modern systems now have the ability to alert you to emergencies, including smoke detectors and water sensors, provide 24/7 professional monitoring to your home, and can be integrated with other smart features, such as lights, cameras and thermostats.

2. Install safety equipment

Keeping safety equipment in your home will also help to keep your family safe and secure - should an accident occur - regardless of the time of year. These could include:

• Fire extinguishers: Place one in the kitchen, garage, and near sleeping areas. Ensure they’re in good working condition and everyone knows how to use them.

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Maintain your detectors by testing them monthly and replacing batteries regularly.

• Security cameras and alarms: These can help prevent accidents caused by intruders.

3. Prepare for specific scenarios

Another huge way that you can help yourself and your family safe over the Christmas season is to prepare for specific scenarios. This could include things such as:

• Fire: Create and practice a family escape plan, ensuring everyone knows two ways to exit each room.

• Falls: Use non-slip mats in bathrooms and secure loose rugs. Install grab bars where necessary.

• Poisoning: Store cleaning supplies, medications, and chemicals out of reach and in locked cabinets.

• Power outages: Keep a supply of candles, matches, and fully charged portable power banks.

4. Educate your family

Along with preparing for these scenarios, it’s also incredibly important to educate your children about home safety and emergency procedures. Depending on age, this could be done through a mature sit-down discussion or through educational activities on home safety and security. 

5. Create a safe environment

Your home should always feel like a safe environment. Take some time to identify and address any potential hazards in your home, such as clutter, electrical risks and fire risks. If you have pets and/or children, take them into consideration by installing safety gates, outlet covers and cupboard locks. 

6. Regularly maintain your home

Not only should you be aiming to keep your home clutter-free and childproofed (or petproofed), but Christmas can be a great time to focus on the maintenance of your home too. Take time to inspect your appliances for signs of damage or wear, have your fireplace professionally cleaned and inspected, and ensure that all your detectors are functioning correctly. 

7. Build an emergency kit

Should an accident occur, it’s always good to be prepared. Build an emergency kit at home that covers all sorts of home accidents, including: 

• First aid supplies: Bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, adhesive tape, scissors, and tweezers.

• Medications: Pain relievers, antihistamines, and any specific medications your family requires.

• Emergency numbers: Post contacts for poison control, your doctor, and emergency services.

• Tools: Flashlights with extra batteries, a multi-tool, and a fire extinguisher.

8. Learn basic first aid skills

Along with an emergency kit, it’s good to have the skills in case you need them. Learning basic first aid skills can be helpful all year round - not just at Christmas. This can include CPR training (including child CPR), wound care and burn treatment. 

9. Invest in home insurance

Some people might not have home insurance, because they don’t believe there's a chance that something could happen to them or their home. Whilst this may be the case, home insurance is like a safety net - it provides financial protection in case of accidents like fires, floods, or theft. If you already have home insurance, why not use the end of the year to review your policy, to ensure it meets your needs?

10. Stay informed and calm

Christmas is a time of joy, and we don’t want you spending the season worrying about all the things that could go wrong. By reading this post, you’ve informed yourself of the risks and have the resources and ideas to proactively try to prevent them. 

Remember that if an accident does happen, a calm mindset can help you make better decisions and guide others to safety. Now you know what could happen and how to prepare, relax and enjoy the season. 

For more home safety tips over Christmas, explore our SimpliSafe blog. If you’re looking for year-round home protection, why not create your own bespoke security system using our ‘Build My System’ tool, which will be ready to install before the Christmas period begins?