The Christmas health hazards we all need to watch out for

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Thousands of people die every year as a result of falls, and many hundreds of thousands are hospitalised,” says Broun – in 2023, 450,000 people ended up in A&E because of falls. “When people go up into the loft to get boxes down, or the rafters of their garage, they often end up climbing a ladder, something a lot of homeowners don’t actually do that often.” Older people who are less steady on their feet are more likely to have serious falls – 3,500 over-65s die from them every year – while children may tramp after their parents into the loft or up the ladder, and fall. “Maybe the kids have left toys on the stairs…” The key is awareness: watch where the kids are, prop ladders up correctly and “if you’re in an unfamiliar space and it’s night time, maybe you’ve had a bit to drink, put a light on if you’re walking down the stairs, hold the handrail, and let’s not leave children’s toys scattered around,” says Broun. “Don’t drink and drive – at all.” Hidden hazards Your toddler will likely disagree, but Christmas decorations are not toys, and as such, are not regulated like toys.