The study, forthcoming in the journal Advances in Integrative Medicine, is based on an analysis of hospital records for injuries connected to Christmas products and activities between 2007 and 2016. While the authors take a playful approach in writing about their work, their findings highlight serious safety hazards.
“While alerts in the entertainment sector are numerous (e.g. Clark Griswold illustrating risks such as burning down the Christmas tree, falling from the roof while installing Christmas lighting and being attacked by a squirrel hidden in the Christmas tree), serious health warnings are often ignored due to the preponderance of Christmas spirit,” the authors write.
An estimated 240,626 injuries were due to sleds and toboggans. Another major culprit: holiday decorations. Electrical decorations were behind an estimated 36,054 injuries while 80,208 were from other types of decorations, according to the study, titled “‘Santa Baby, Hurry [Extra Carefully] Down the Chimney Tonight’ — Prevalence of Christmas Related Injuries 2007–2016 in the United States: Observational Study.”
Researchers also found that 277 children were hurt during interactions with a Santa impersonator — for example, by falling off his lap or falling while running away in fear.
“Numerous cases of injuries were reported … involving children meeting Santa Claus in shopping malls,” the researchers write. “Previous studies have already questioned whether Santa Claus might be considered a public health pariah and negative role model due to the majority of photographic evidence showing him smoking, drinking and being overweight.”