HEALTHCARE

Holiday safety tips: How to stay healthy, avoid the ER as you travel, celebrate

Austin American-Statesman

The Austin Fire Department's demonstration of how not to fry a turkey makes the point clearly with the flames of a grease fire. Texas ranks first for the most grease and cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day.

Ready for Thanksgiving? Christmas? Hanukkah? Kwanzaa? New Year's?

If we're not careful, the season's hustle and bustle as well as holiday hazards can get to us, sending us on a trip to the emergency room.

ER doctors are ready for the not-so-fun festivities they see this time of year. Patient visits typically rise during the holidays — not on the holidays themselves, but on the days before and after, medical experts say.

Here's what the ERs are expecting to see and how you can avoid the trip:

Avoiding viruses like COVID during Thanksgiving celebrations

We now have a double dose of viruses. Flu has hit early this year. It is making up more than 10% of trips to the doctor in Travis County, and more than one-third of all tests for flu are coming back positive.

Respiratory diseases, including RSV, also have been circulating. At different times, pediatric hospitals have been out of beds, especially in the intensive care units, because of these viruses.

No beds available:Children's hospitals in Austin, across Texas battling surge in respiratory viruses

Health officials are on the lookout for a triple whammy this winter: flu, respiratory viruses and COVID-19.

Central Texas has had a low transmission rate of COVID-19 recently, but that also happened last year, just before omicron hit in December, filling hospitals by January. There is some hope because Europe also has recently been seeing decreases in COVID-19 cases, rather than the bump it usually sees before a new wave hits the United States.

If you haven't received a flu vaccination or a COVID-19 booster, it's not too late. You could also add wearing a mask in crowded spaces as another protection.

Avoid going out if you have any viral symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat, chills, runny nose, body aches, headache, diarrhea or vomiting.

Nurse Cynthia Smith prepares to give a patient the seasonal flu vaccine at the South Austin Regional Clinic. There's still time to get a flu shot or COVID-19 booster. Health officials are on the lookout for a triple whammy this holiday season: flu, respiratory viruses and COVID-19.

Winter viruses:Flu season has arrived in Austin. Here's what you need to know

Staying safe on the road this Thanksgiving

People are out and about, traveling to see family, heading to shopping centers. Don't drive while tired or after drinking. Be cautious in hazardous road conditions such as rain, fog or ice. Be aware of the vehicles around you. Bring your patience and allow extra time. Make sure everyone is in a proper car seat and using a seat belt.

This multicar wreck occurred on icy Texas 45 near Parmer Lane in Northwest Austin in February. People in a hurry and difficult weather conditions can lead to more crashes during holiday travel.

How to safely fry a turkey

In the kitchen, be aware of who is around the oven or stove and allow for space to maneuver to avoid hitting people or spilling something hot on them. Supervise kids in the kitchen. Use oven mitts when handling hot dishes, pots or pans.

If you are frying a turkey, avoid overfilling the pot with oil. Turn off the flame when adding or taking out the turkey.

Make sure candles are not lighted where children or pets can knock them over or near flammable decorations or materials. Candles need to be watched and blown out if you are leaving the home or going to bed.

Laura Sawicki lights the first candle on the menorah during a Hanukkah dinner party in 2019. Watch pets and kids around candles.

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The same is true for using fireplaces. Don't burn any materials that are not meant for a fireplace. Check that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working and have fresh batteries.

Avoid using alternative heat sources such as generators that are not meant for indoors, ovens and stoves. Make sure space heaters have good wiring and are not near something flammable.

New Year's Eve fireworks also land people in the ER when devices explode in their hands, light something else on fire or hit someone. Choose a different way to celebrate.

From left, Levi Reynolds, Kambell Crites and Charlie McCorvey light sparklers from a single flame in 2015. Sparklers are surprisingly dangerous and cause 75% of fireworks injuries.

Fireworks safety:Ready to light some fireworks for New Year's Eve? Celebrate in a way that's legal and safe

Knife cuts

Kids need to be supervised in the kitchen, especially when handling knives. For adults, pick the right knife for the job and make sure it has been sharpened. Avoid distractions, such as talking or watching TV, while using a knife. Remember to tuck in fingers while holding the object you are cutting.

Amanda Turner, the chef de cuisine at Olamaie, chops apples in the kitchen. Be careful to keep fingers tucked away from the knife.

Food illnesses

Everything needs to be cooked to the proper temperature. Do not keep food out all day. Within two hours of serving, food should be packed up and refrigerated. Eat leftovers within three or four days or freeze them.

Falls while decorating

Every year people fall off ladders or the roof while decorating. These kinds of falls lead to head or back injuries as well as broken limbs. Use the right ladder for the job, one that is tall enough and secure at the base. Have someone hold the base so it does not slip.

People also fall at the ground level when they are visiting somewhere new. Watch for area rugs, furniture or things on the floor waiting to reach out and trip you. Look for tripping hazards around the outside of the house as well.

If you are going to install holiday lights and displays on your roof, make sure you have help and the proper equipment.

Recreational hazards:Austin-area doctors seeing more pickleball injuries. Here's how to avoid them

Other decorating dangers

Check that all lights and trees have no loose or exposed wires or broken bulbs. Make sure trees are secured to their base and not in danger of falling over onto someone.

If you have young children, put more fragile ornaments up high, avoid heavy ornaments that can fall and don't use ornaments that look like food.

Be careful with inflatable outdoor decorations. Kids should not be around when they are being deflated to avoid a suffocation risk.

Toy risks

Those first rides on a new scooter, bike or hoverboard can end in a head injury or a broken limb. Give the gift of a helmet as well as wrist and shin guards with every riding toy. Supervise play, encourage caution to get used to the toy and choose a flat surface.

Make sure toys are age-appropriate for all the kids in the family. With babies and toddlers, doctors worry about choking hazards from small parts. They also worry about kids swallowing button batteries and magnets, which can severely damage the digestive track.

Button batteries are dangerous for young children, who are at risk of ingesting them.

Toy safety:Dangerous toys to watch out for this Christmas

Drownings

Be very aware of areas that are not childproof where you are visiting. Establish rules about where kids can run and where they cannot. Don't forget to make sure that backyard pools are not accessible to kids.

Sources: Dr. Andy Jones, assistant medical director of the emergency department at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, and Dr. Shyam Sivasankar, pediatric emergency medicine physician at St. David's Children's Hospital.

Drowning prevention:How to protect your kids from drowning in the pool, the lake — or even the bathtub