Christmas is a joyful season, but it’s also a time when injuries rise. People decorate, cook big meals, travel more, and do a lot in a short window of time. That mix—plus winter weather and alcohol—creates a perfect setup for accidents.
Across many reports, the most common holiday injuries include:
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Falls (ladder falls while decorating, slips on ice, trips over cords)
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Fires and electrical injuries (tree fires, candle fires, overloaded outlets, shocks)
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Burns (cooking, hot pans, ovens, grease, “quick fixes” with hot glue)
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Cuts (wrapping, knives in the kitchen, broken ornaments, box cutters)
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Strains and sprains (lifting boxes, carrying trees, overdoing it in one day)
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Alcohol-related injuries (falls, fights, poor judgment, intoxication)
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Food illness and choking (improper food handling, rushed meals, small parts)
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Toy and gift-related injuries (choking hazards, sharp edges, riding toys)
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Driving crashes (more traffic, distracted driving, drowsy/drunk driving)
These patterns show up in safety summaries, hospital-focused guidance, and seasonal injury roundups. (D’Amore Law Group, n.d.; TorkLaw, 2023; UCLA Health, n.d.; Miller, 2023; St John Ambulance, 2025)
Why Holiday Injuries Happen So Often
Most holiday accidents are not “random.” They usually come from a few predictable causes:
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More rushed tasks: decorating, shopping, cooking, traveling
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More distractions: phones, guests, kids, loud kitchens, excitement
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More alcohol: parties, cocktails, social pressure
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More lifting and awkward movements: boxes, trees, groceries
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More hazards in the home: cords, candles, extra lights, slippery steps
One widely cited U.S. safety message notes that Christmas decorating injuries average about 160 per day, and many involve falls. (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission [CPSC], 2025; UCLA Health, n.d.)
Falls: Decorating, Ice, and “Just One More Step”
Falls are the classic Christmas injury—especially when ladders and rooftops get involved. Falls can cause:
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sprains and strains
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fractures (wrist, ankle, hip)
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head injuries or concussions
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neck and back pain
U.S. guidance notes that holiday decorating injuries are common and often involve falls, especially ladder work. (CPSC, 2025; UCLA Health, n.d.) Seasonal injury research roundups also describe ladder falls while hanging lights and setting up decorations. (Miller, 2023)
Fall-prevention checklist (simple but powerful)
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Use a stable ladder (not a chair, stool, or wobbly bench). (UCLA Health, n.d.)
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Follow the “4-to-1 rule” for ladder setup (distance from wall matters). (UCLA Health, n.d.)
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Have a spotter when you climb.
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Keep your ladder on dry, level ground (watch for ice).
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Move cords and clutter so you don’t trip inside the house.
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Wear shoes with a good grip (not socks on tile/wood floors).
Fires and Electrical Hazards: Lights, Trees, Candles, and Overloaded Outlets
Holiday fires are often linked to:
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dry trees
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candles
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faulty light strings
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overloaded outlets or extension cords
One public safety release summarizing NFPA data reports that U.S. fire departments respond to an average of about 160 Christmas tree fires per year (2016–2020) and about 790 decoration-related home fires per year (excluding trees). It also notes that a large share of decoration fires in December involve candles. (Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal, 2022)
UCLA Health also highlights fire risks from trees, candles, overloaded outlets, and distracted cooking—especially in November and December. (UCLA Health, n.d.)
Fire + electrical safety checklist
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Keep live trees watered every day; remove them when they dry out. (UCLA Health, n.d.)
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Don’t run lights through doorways or under rugs (risk of cord damage).
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Avoid “daisy-chaining” extension cords.
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Turn off tree lights before bed or when leaving home.
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Keep candles in sight and away from decorations and wrapping paper. (UCLA Health, n.d.)
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Use safer options when possible:
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flameless candles
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timers for lights
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surge protectors rated for the load
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Burns: Cooking, Baking, Fryers, and Hot Surfaces
Burns rise during the holidays because kitchens get busy, crowded, and distracted.
Common burn sources:
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oven doors and racks
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hot pans and spilled grease
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steam burns from lids
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hot drinks
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turkey deep fryers (high risk if used incorrectly)
Holiday safety guidance commonly lists cooking burns as a top seasonal injury. (St John Ambulance, 2025; UCLA Health, n.d.; TorkLaw, 2023)
Burn-prevention checklist
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Don’t leave cooking unattended (especially stovetop). (UCLA Health, n.d.)
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Keep kids and pets out of a “hot zone” around the stove.
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Use oven mitts that fully cover the hand/wrist.
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Point pot handles inward.
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If deep frying:
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use it outside
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keep it far from structures
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never fry a frozen turkey
(CPSC, 2025)
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Cuts: Wrapping, Ornaments, and Kitchen Knives
Cuts happen in two main places:
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The kitchen (knife nicks while rushing meal prep)
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The living room (box cutters, scissors, broken ornaments)
Some holiday lists also mention broken glass and sharp decorations as a frequent issue. (St John Ambulance, 2025)
Cut-prevention checklist
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Use a box cutter with a protected/safety blade (or cut away from the body). (UCLA Health, n.d.)
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Slow down when opening plastic packaging (it fights back).
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In the kitchen:
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use a stable cutting board
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keep knives sharp (dull knives slip)
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don’t try to “catch” a falling knife
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Strains and Sprains: Lifting Boxes, Trees, and Groceries
Holiday back and neck pain is extremely common. It comes from:
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lifting heavy storage bins
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carrying a tree
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moving furniture
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long hours of wrapping or shopping with poor posture
UCLA Health specifically warns about strained back/neck from lifting and repetitive positions (including long hours on a couch or awkward laptop posture). (UCLA Health, n.d.)
“Back-smart” lifting tips
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Lift with your legs (squat, then stand). (UCLA Health, n.d.)
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Keep the load close to your body.
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Don’t twist while holding the weight—turn your feet instead.
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Break big loads into shorter trips.
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Ask for help with:
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trees
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big boxes
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heavy furniture
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Alcohol-Related Injuries: Falls, Risky Choices, and “Holiday Heart”
Alcohol doesn’t just affect driving—it affects everything:
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ladder safety
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kitchen safety
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balance and coordination
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decision-making
Holiday injury research roundups describe alcohol as a factor in unintentional injuries and impaired judgment, and they also discuss “holiday heart syndrome” (a rhythm issue linked with binge drinking). (Miller, 2023) Seasonal safety summaries also list alcohol-related intoxication and injuries as common during festive periods. (St John Ambulance, 2025)
Alcohol harm-reduction tips
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Don’t climb ladders after drinking.
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Don’t cook complicated meals if you’re impaired.
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Alternate alcohol with water.
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Eat before and during drinking.
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If your heart races, you feel chest pain, or you faint—get urgent medical care.
Food Poisoning and Choking: Big Meals, Busy Kitchens, and Small Hazards
Food poisoning increases when:
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food sits out too long
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hands aren’t washed often enough
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raw meat contacts ready-to-eat foods
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leftovers are stored late or reheated poorly
Holiday safety articles frequently list food poisoning as a common seasonal problem. (William D. Shapiro Law, Inc., n.d.; St John Ambulance, 2025) National food safety guidance emphasizes preventing cross-contamination, cooking to safe temperatures, and promptly refrigerating leftovers. (CDC, 2024)
Choking is also a known holiday risk—through rushed meals, hard candies, and small toy parts. (D’Amore Law Group, n.d.)
Food safety quick rules
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Wash your hands before handling food and after raw meat. (CDC, 2024)
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Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods. (CDC, 2024)
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Refrigerate leftovers quickly (don’t leave food out for hours). (CDC, 2024)
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Reheat leftovers fully and evenly.
Toy and Gift Injuries: Choking, Sharp Edges, and Riding Toys
Toy-related injuries rise around the holidays, especially with:
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small parts (choking risk)
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sharp edges
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scooters, bikes, hoverboards, and ride-on toys
UCLA Health reports large numbers of toy-related emergency visits in children and highlights scooters as a major contributor in one year’s data. (UCLA Health, n.d.) Many holiday safety articles also emphasize age-appropriate toys and supervision. (TorkLaw, 2023; William D. Shapiro Law, Inc., n.d.)
Toy safety checklist
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Match the toy to the child’s age level (read the label). (UCLA Health, n.d.)
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Keep small parts away from toddlers.
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Use helmets and protective gear for riding toys. (UCLA Health, n.d.)
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Assemble toys carefully and tighten all screws.
Driving Crashes: Distracted, Drowsy, and Impaired Driving
Crashes tend to spike because people:
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drive farther
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drive later at night
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face winter road conditions
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drive distracted (phones, navigation, searching for lights)
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drive impaired
UCLA Health cites estimates of hundreds of deaths during the days around Christmas and New Year’s, and notes alcohol impairment as a major factor. (UCLA Health, n.d.) Holiday accident summaries also repeatedly list car crashes as a top seasonal risk. (TorkLaw, 2023; D’Amore Law Group, n.d.)
Safer holiday driving
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Plan extra time (rushing causes risky driving).
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Put the phone away (or use “Do Not Disturb While Driving”).
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If you drink, don’t drive—use a sober driver or rideshare. (UCLA Health, n.d.)
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Stop if you’re drowsy (fatigue is a real impairment).
How Integrative Chiropractic + Nurse Practitioner (NP) Care Supports Recovery
When someone gets hurt during the holidays, the best plan is often team-based care—especially for musculoskeletal injuries (neck pain, back pain, joint pain, sprains/strains) and recovery that needs both hands-on treatment and medical oversight.
What chiropractic care can help with (common examples)
Chiropractic-focused care is commonly used for:
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spinal and joint pain
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movement limitations
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mechanical back pain
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some types of neck pain
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headaches related to muscle tension (case-dependent)
Clinical guidelines for low back pain include spinal manipulation among recommended non-drug options for many patients (when appropriate and no red flags are present). (American College of Physicians, 2017; Hauk, 2017)
What an NP partner adds (whole-person support)
A Nurse Practitioner can help by:
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screening for red flags (fracture, nerve damage, infection, serious head injury)
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ordering imaging or labs when needed (case-dependent)
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managing pain safely and appropriately (often starting with non-opioid options) (CDC, 2025)
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supporting sleep, stress, hydration, and nutrition during recovery
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helping manage underlying conditions that slow healing (like diabetes, hypertension, or inflammation risk)
Why the combined approach matters
Many holiday injuries are “layered,” such as:
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a fall causing joint pain plus muscle spasm
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a car crash causing neck strain, plus headaches and sleep disruption
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overexertion causing low back pain plus poor mobility
An integrated model can address:
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structure (joints, posture, mobility)
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soft tissue (muscles, fascia, tendon overload)
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rehab (strength, stability, safe return to activity)
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medical oversight (symptoms that need evaluation, safe pain control, prevention planning)
Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, describes his multidisciplinary model as combining chiropractic care, rehabilitation approaches, and nutrition-focused support within an integrated clinical team. (Jimenez, n.d.)
A Practical Recovery Plan After a Holiday Injury
If you’re hurt (and it’s not an emergency), a simple, structured plan can speed recovery:
Step 1: Rule out emergencies
Seek urgent care/ER help if you have:
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loss of consciousness
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severe headache after a fall
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chest pain or trouble breathing
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weakness, numbness, or loss of bowel/bladder control
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obvious deformity or inability to bear weight
Step 2: Calm the flare-up (first 24–72 hours)
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Relative rest (avoid what spikes pain)
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Ice or heat, based on what helps (many people alternate)
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Gentle walking or movement as tolerated
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Avoid “hero lifting” and twisting
Step 3: Restore motion + rebuild strength
This is where integrative care often shines:
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targeted manual care (when appropriate)
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soft tissue therapy (massage/physiotherapy approaches)
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guided rehab exercises that rebuild stability
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posture coaching for long wrapping/cooking days
Step 4: Nutrition that supports healing (especially during holiday eating)
An NP-led wellness lens can help people:
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stabilize blood sugar (less inflammation, better energy)
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increase protein for tissue repair
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improve hydration (less cramping, fewer headaches)
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avoid the “all sugar, no sleep” crash cycle
Prevention Is Treatment: A Holiday Safety Plan You Can Actually Follow
Here’s a simple prevention plan that covers most holiday injuries:
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Decorate in sessions (not all in one day)
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Use the right tools (stable ladder, proper footwear)
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Unclutter floors (cords, boxes, wrapping scraps)
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Kitchen rules:
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don’t leave cooking unattended
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keep kids/pets out of the hot zone
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Alcohol rules:
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no ladders
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no complicated cooking
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no driving
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Drive smart:
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avoid distractions
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plan ahead
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don’t drive tired or impaired
References
American College of Physicians. (2017). American College of Physicians issues guideline for treating nonradicular low back pain. ACP Online.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Holiday food safety. CDC.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Nonopioid therapies for pain management. CDC.
D’Amore Law Group. (n.d.). What are the most common Christmas-related injuries?. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
Hauk, L. (2017). Low back pain: American College of Physicians practice guideline on noninvasive treatments. American Family Physician.
Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal. (2022). OSFM stresses holiday decoration fire safety (PDF).
Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Why choose our clinical team?. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
Miller, N. S. (2023, December 20). Seasonal holiday injuries: A research roundup. The Journalist’s Resource.
St John Ambulance. (2025, December 5). Tinsel & Trauma: Hazardous Christmas statistics.
TorkLaw. (2023, December 20). Top 5 most common accidents during Christmas holidays.
UCLA Health. (n.d.). 7 common holiday injuries and accidents (and how to avoid them). Retrieved December 16, 2025.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. (2025). Happy Holidays Start with Safety: CPSC urges families to cook, decorate, and select toys with care this season. CPSC.
William D. Shapiro Law, Inc. (n.d.). 5 common holiday injuries and safety tips. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and physical medicine, as well as wellness, sensitive health issues, and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and the jurisdiction in which they are licensed to practice. We utilize functional health and wellness protocols to treat and support care for musculoskeletal injuries or disorders. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters and issues that directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice. Our office has made a reasonable effort to provide supportive citations and to identify relevant research studies that support our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies upon request to regulatory boards and the public.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol. To discuss the subject matter above further, please contact Dr. Alex Jimenez or us at 915-50-0900.
Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
Email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
