Beyond the Cheer: The Hidden Dangers Filling ERs This Holiday Season

By Ruth Flores

WASHINGTON, DC – December 19, 2025 – As homes fill with the scent of pine and the glow of festive lights, emergency departments across the country are bracing for their own holiday tradition: a surge in preventable injuries. While families gather for celebration, emergency physicians are preparing for the influx of patients suffering from falls, burns, toy-related accidents, and cold-weather calamities that mark this time of year.

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) issued a stark reminder this week that the most wonderful time of the year is also one of the most hazardous. The organization, which represents 40,000 emergency physicians, is urging the public to prioritize safety to avoid turning a holiday celebration into a medical emergency.

"Give yourself and loved ones the gift of safety this holiday season," said ACEP President L. Anthony Cirillo, MD, FACEP, in a public statement. "Simple precautions can help to ensure that this special time of year is spent celebrating with friends and loved ones, rather than visiting the emergency department."

Statistics from multiple national safety organizations paint a grim picture that supports the physicians' warnings, revealing thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths that could be avoided with basic awareness and caution.

Decking the Halls Can Lead to Decking the ER

The simple act of hanging lights and ornaments is responsible for a staggering number of injuries each year. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an average of 160 people are injured per day during the holiday season from decorating mishaps, leading to nearly 15,000 emergency department visits annually.

Falls are the primary culprit, accounting for over a third of these incidents. Emergency physicians routinely treat fractures, sprains, and serious head injuries from individuals tumbling off ladders or roofs while hanging outdoor lights. ACEP advises using the correct size ladder for the job, ensuring it is placed on stable, level ground, and always having a spotter to provide support.

Fire is another significant risk lurking among the festive decorations. National data indicates that Christmas trees start an average of 260 home fires each year, resulting in deaths and injuries. Holiday lights cause an additional 150 fires. However, the most frequent offender is candles, which are responsible for 45% of all home decoration fires, with December being the peak month for such disasters. Cooking fires also see a dramatic spike, with Thanksgiving having more than three times the daily average of home cooking fires.

When Gifts Become Hazards

For children, the holidays often mean a bounty of new toys. But for parents and caregivers, this excitement must be tempered with vigilance. The CPSC reported that in a single recent year, an estimated 154,700 children aged 12 or younger were treated in emergency rooms for toy-related injuries. Tragically, 10 of these incidents were fatal, with most deaths caused by choking on small parts, balls, or balloons.

Non-motorized scooters continue to top the list of most dangerous toys, accounting for more than one in five injuries for children under 15. However, ACEP warns that even seemingly innocuous toys can pose serious risks if they contain small parts, including powerful magnets or button batteries. If swallowed, these components can cause severe and life-threatening internal injuries.

Experts stress the importance of selecting gifts that are appropriate for a child's age and developmental stage, a guideline printed on most toy packaging for this very reason. Inspecting new toys for potential hazards and supervising playtime are critical steps to prevent a joyful morning from ending in an emergency.

The Perils of Winter Weather and Chores

As temperatures drop, the risks associated with winter weather escalate. Emergency physicians see an increase in cases of hypothermia and frostbite, conditions that can develop quickly with prolonged exposure to extreme cold. Dressing in layers and protecting the hands, feet, and face are essential precautions.

One of the most underestimated dangers is snow shoveling. The National Safety Council reports that this strenuous activity is responsible for thousands of injuries and as many as 100 deaths each year, primarily from heart attacks. The combination of cold temperatures, which can constrict blood vessels, and the intense physical exertion of lifting heavy, wet snow creates a perfect storm for a cardiac event, particularly for individuals over 55.

Those who use snowblowers face a different, but equally severe, risk. ACEP warns users to never clear a blockage with their hands, even if the machine is turned off. The blades can remain under tension and cause devastating hand injuries or amputations when the blockage is suddenly freed.

Icy sidewalks and driveways also contribute to a spike in slips and falls, a leading cause of fractures and concussions for people of all ages. Keeping walkways clear and wearing proper footwear can significantly reduce this common winter hazard.

Silent Dangers Inside the Home

Seeking refuge from the cold brings its own set of invisible threats. The use of space heaters, fireplaces, and generators to heat homes leads to a higher risk of both house fires and accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 400 Americans die each year from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, with the majority of these deaths occurring in the colder months from November through February.

Because carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas, it is often called a "silent killer." ACEP strongly advises that any home using fuel-burning heating devices, including furnaces and generators, must be equipped with working carbon monoxide detectors to protect sleeping families from a fatal exposure.

Finally, the risks extend to holiday travel. Winter storms can make roads treacherous with little warning, increasing the likelihood of crashes or becoming stranded. Emergency physicians recommend keeping a fully charged phone, warm blankets, water, and a basic emergency kit in the car for any winter journey. By taking these expert-backed precautions, families can ensure their holiday memories are made at home with loved ones, not in a hospital waiting room.