Harzards over the Holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and it may take the fruit cake as the most dangerous time of the year as well. Many primary care clinics close for major holidays, and some clinics are inundated as patients rush to see their doctor before the year ends, for insurance reasons.

If your primary care doctor is hard to see over this holiday season, your local urgent care center in Houston may be available to treat everything from the winter sniffles to accidents that can happen when caution is overtaken by frivolity.

Winter Holiday Safety Tips

• Always be careful when driving on winter roads. Ice can form after rain (or in the unlikely event of snow in Houston, TX).
• Winter holidy celebrations can also lead to another road hazard: drunk drivers. Be aware that the holiday season is a time when drunk driving rates are at their highest.
• Be safe when decorating the house for the holiday season. Ask for someone to spot you when you climb a ladder, keep lights unplugged so you are not as risk for electricution, and be aware of which plants are poisonous when ingested (poinsettas are poisonous).
• Purchase fire-resistant articificial trees, and keep all Christmas trees (real or artificial) away from live fires, fireplaces, and radiators.
• NEVER use lighted candles to decorate a tree. It is a fire hazard waiting to happen.
• Every year, check Christmas lights to make sure that the chords are not frayed. Exposed wires could electrocute someone.
• For wall and hanging decorations, remember to use proper fastening tools.
• Mind the toys you purchase for small children- read the toy recommendations and note chocking hazards.

Remember to cook holiday meals to proper internal temperature. Holiday seasons usually show a rise on botulism cases.

Common sense goes a long way in holiday safety planning. For unforeseeable events and accidents-from flu to fir injury-your local urgent care centerin Houston is available to available to keep the holidays bright.