Five surprising festive dangers (Santa’s on the list)

The most wonderful time of the year brings with it busyness, stress and – if you’re not careful – danger as well.

In recent years, experts and researchers have published various warnings about holidayrelated injuries. Some of those warnings have included some pretty specific (and surprising) details.

Here are five seasonal traditions that maybe should inspire a bit of Christmas caution:

Santa

In an (at times lighthearted) analysis of Christmas injuries published last month, researchers noted hundreds of injuries associated with Santa Claus impersonators.

The study, published in Advances in Integrative Medicine, found more than 270 children were involved in Santa-related injuries between 2007 and 2016. Specifically, the study notes that some were injured by falling off Santa’s lap. One child visited the emergency room after she fell running away from Santa in fright.

The study advocates for general caution at Christmas and notes that Caucasians are especially prone to Christmasrelated injuries.

Unwrapping gifts

Injuries with knives and scissors spike on Christmas Day as people unwrap gifts, according to a 2016 analysis published by Quartz.

The publication examined 1700 documented Christmas-related emergency room visits, finding examples such as this: ‘‘19-year-old male lacerated thumb with knife while opening a Christmas present’’.

The publication concluded that scissors should avoided when unwrapping gifts.

Your Christmas tree

Christmas trees – especially dry ones – can be a significant fire risk, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

A release this month says Christmas tree fires have caused an average of $12 million in damage and 10 deaths per year, according to data collected between 2013 and 2015.

Tips for avoiding a fire: Pick a fresh tree (if you’re buying real), buy a ‘‘fire resistant’’ tree (if you’re buying artificial), and keep it away from heat sources. Real trees should get plenty of water to keep them fresh, as well.

Decorating

Experts across the board warn that hanging decorations can be hazardous. Ladder falls can be deadly; broken ornaments can cause cuts; and worn Christmas lights can spark a fire.

General tips to avoid injury from the CPSC: Avoid breakable decorations if you have a small child; inspect lights and cords for damage and wear before using them; and just try to be careful if you’re getting up on a ladder.

Wrapping paper

Wrapping paper is festive and so are roaring fires, but they don’t mix, experts warn. ‘‘Do not burn wrapping paper in the fireplace. A flash fire may result because wrappings can ignite suddenly and burn intensely,’’ the CPSC warns. So don’t do that – and also, check your smoke detector, just to be safe. – USA Today