Elf and safety? 21 million Brits injure themselves preparing for Christmas, research suggests

Whether it’s overspending or getting too drunk at the office party, we all know that Christmas has its pitfalls.

But it appears merrymakers may need to be a little more careful this year as research shows 21 million Brits have been injured during festive occasions.

One of the most common midwinter accidents involves holiday trees: 5 percent of those surveyed were injured while lifting a tree. Another 5 percent, or nearly 2.7 million people, fell out of their chairs while hanging trinkets or lanterns.

The kitchen can be a dangerous place: 6 percent of people have burned themselves with hot oil while basting a turkey, for example, and 7 percent have cut themselves while chopping vegetables.

The results come from the private King Edward VII’s Hospital in London, which examined 2,000 people and found that 40 per cent were injured during the festive season.

Research shows that 21 million Britons have been injured during festive occasions. Pictured: a burning Christmas turkey.

Musculoskeletal problems were the most common ailment, affecting more than a quarter of people, and were caused by things such as tripping over gifts, lifting heavy gifts or falling from an attic, knocking off decorations. (file image)

This is equivalent to almost 21.3 million adults across the UK, of whom 5 per cent, or almost 2.7 million, ended up in emergency departments and 4 per cent had their holiday canceled as a result.

Musculoskeletal problems were the most common ailment, affecting more than a quarter of people, and were caused by things such as tripping over gifts, lifting heavy gifts or falling from an attic, knocking off decorations.

Tim Sinnett, consultant trauma and orthopedic surgeon at King Edward VII’s Hospital, said: “Christmas is just around the corner and many are feeling festive.

“However, if you don’t take the proper precautions, there are risks ranging from a pulled muscle to something more serious like a sprain or fracture.”

After musculoskeletal problems, the most common holiday injuries were minor sprains and sprains, reported by 8 percent of people in a survey carried out by Censuswide.

A staggering 5 per cent said they suffered a sprain while walking home from the pub the night before Christmas, while around one in eight suffered bruises and 6 per cent broke a bone.

Alarmingly, a whopping 13 percent of people fell on ice or snow.

A staggering 5 per cent said they suffered a sprain while walking home from the pub the night before Christmas.

Stock photo of a fallen Christmas tree with broken ornaments smashed on the floor

5 percent of people cited even lifting the turkey into the oven as a cause of injury.

Experts advise holiday cooks to squat with their knees bent so that the muscles in their arms and legs take on the load.

Finally, 4 percent of those surveyed reported being injured while dressed as Santa Claus.

A tip when picking up a glass of milk and a mince pie left by the fireplace is that Santa should slowly lower himself to the ground, knees first, supporting himself with his hands.