Household accidents are more frequent in winter: here's how to avoid these 5 dangers

Domestic accidents: how to avoid these 5 winter dangers ?

The end of the year is marked by cold weather and the holidays. Two elements that can unfortunately be sources of domestic accidents. Burns, cuts, poisoning… A quick overview.

Winter is the season of cocooning. But by definition, the more time we spend at home, the higher the risk of domestic accidents.

The risk of fire

As explained by the Departmental Union of First Aid of Ile et Vilaine, “in 10 years, the number of domestic fires has increased by more than 50%. The cause ? An electrical overload of increasingly energy-hungry devices, poorly controlled heat sources or an accident in the kitchen“.

To protect yourself:

avoid overloading power strips; never leave your electrical devices on at night; install a smoke detector.

The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

Winter also exposes people to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, a colorless, odorless gas that is toxic to humans. It results from malfunctioning heating appliances, improper use of heating (such as a supplementary heater used continuously) or when ventilation is insufficient.

The consequences can be fatal in less than an hour and cause irreversible neurological and cardiac damage. Initial symptoms include headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

To prevent the risks, it is advisable to:

have heating systems serviced annually; ventilate for at least 10 minutes daily; avoid prolonged use of supplementary heaters; in case of suspicious symptoms, it is necessary to ventilate, evacuate and call emergency services (15 or 18).

The holidays, a high-risk period

The end-of-year holidays also bring their share of domestic risks.

The Christmas tree, a symbol of festivities, can present several dangers: if it is not properly stabilized, it risks tipping over, particularly when children pull on the garlands.

Electrical decorations also present significant risks: defective garlands or those that do not comply with NF/CE standards can cause short circuits or even fires.

Small decorative elements constitute a particular danger for young children, like the fragments of Christmas baubles exposing them to the risk of cuts and ingestion.

Button batteries: a deadly danger

Toys often contain button batteries. These are a deadly hazard if swallowed. They can obstruct the airways, but also cause serious damage to the esophagus in just 15 minutes. It is essential to check that the battery compartments are secure.

Oysters: an underestimated danger

Opening oysters is also a risk in its own right. According to Public Health France, 2,000 accidents occur each year, requiring emergency care. A third of which happened between December 24 and 31 alone!

Cuts can be serious and using a suitable knife and appropriate protection (gloves, cloth) is essential.