Christmas may bring cheer, but it's also a time for unexpected mishaps, according to recent research suggesting that a staggering 21 million Britons have encountered injuries while partaking in

festive activities.

The study conducted by King Edward VII's Hospital in London surveyed 2,000 individuals, unveiling that a significant 40% of respondents had suffered injuries during the holiday season. Among the common mishaps, 5% had strained themselves lifting Christmas trees, while another 5% had experienced chair-related accidents while decorating with baubles or lights.

Kitchens proved to be a perilous domain as well, with 6% suffering burns from hot oil while cooking the turkey, and 7% reporting cuts while chopping vegetables.

Musculoskeletal issues topped the list of injuries, affecting over a quarter of participants. These incidents resulted from various activities like stumbling over presents, handling hefty gifts, or even accidents while retrieving decorations from the loft.

Tim Sinnett, a trauma and orthopedic consultant at King Edward VII's Hospital, cautioned, "With Christmas just around the corner, many are getting into the festive spirit. However, there are risks associated if you don't take the proper precautions, from pulling muscles to something more serious such as a sprain or a break."

Following musculoskeletal problems, minor sprains and strains were reported by 8% of respondents. Surprisingly, 5% admitted to spraining themselves on their way home from the pub on Christmas Eve, while approximately one in eight experienced bruising, and 6% suffered fractures.

Snow and ice presented a challenge as well, contributing to falls for 13% of individuals. Even mundane tasks like lifting the Christmas turkey into the oven led to injuries for 5% of participants.

As for those donning the Santa Claus attire, 4% reported injuries while dressed as Father Christmas.

Experts recommend safety measures, particularly for chefs during festive cooking, advising them to squat and bend using their knees to minimize strain on arm and leg muscles. For Santa's benefit, the guidance suggests a slow descent to the floor, utilizing knees for support while reaching for the traditional milk and mince pie by the fireplace. Photo by Jernej Furman from Maribor, Slovenia, Wikimedia commons.