How to protect yourself and your loved ones so that you do not spend the New Year holidays in a hospital bed.
1. Poisoning
In the pre-New Year’s haste, we run to the shops, buying up the necessary products, sometimes without looking at the terms and conditions of storage. It is precisely such buyers that dishonest sellers are glad to see. Pay attention to the condition of the packaging and the product itself – there is a risk that the expiration dates may be broken, and only visually (and even by smell) it is possible to determine the quality and suitability of the product. It is better to check several times, and not to grab the first thing that comes to hand. Otherwise, you risk spending the main night of the year and subsequent vacations either in the “faience” room or in a hospital bed. Don’t buy ready-made salads – they fall into the category of the most risky dishes during the New Year holidays. It is better to cook yourself, albeit a simple, but fresh salad. By the way, do not forget about possible allergic reactions. If you are expecting a lot of guests, then immediately ask if anyone is allergic to food. Comment on the ingredients of the dishes, tell us what the salads are made of and the main course. It is better to be a boastful, annoying hostess than to call an ambulance and pump out the guest later.
2. Burns when starting fireworks
What New Year is without a bright fireworks, joyful children’s screeching under the explosion of firecrackers, launching rockets? To avoid injuries (and they can be serious and cause significant harm to health), you need to adhere to several rules. Firstly, in no case trust the launch of the festive fireworks to a tipsy person. Otherwise, the fireworks will turn into a real war with wounds. Secondly, an innocent sparkler in the hands of a child threatens to become a serious weapon. Keep kids away from firecrackers! Light a sparkler only in the presence of adults who are constantly supervising children. When buying fireworks, it will not be superfluous to ask the seller for certificates and licenses confirming the quality and safety of the product. Fakes may not work at all, or, even worse, work ahead of time (for example, explode in the hands). Approach the launch of the fireworks with extreme caution. Provide a safe area away from homes, gas stations, etc. Do not bring pets with you! After the holidays, social networks are full of ads about the missing dogs, which, frightened by loud shots, fled from their owners. Keep children at a decent distance from the launch site, do not try to shake the rocket, if it does not work, it happens that the fuse does not immediately light up and additional seconds are needed. Do not run to check what is wrong, wait a little!
3. Frostbite and hypothermia
After the fireworks and a plentiful feast, soul and body are drawn to merry sledding, sleigh rides, ice sleds. And while the soul is having fun, the body begins to signal that it already needs warmth. Don’t ignore these signals! If you felt tingling or, conversely, the skin began to lose sensitivity – by running into the warmth. Pay attention to children and other sledges: flushed faces or, even worse, pale faces are already a serious signal. If you are far from home or for some other reason cannot get into the saving warmth, then you should apply several elementary methods. Never rub the frostbitten areas with snow – it is colder than the air and you will cause more damage to your skin. A dry mitten, a scarf will work best. Once at home, do not rush to wash your hands with hot water – you will only increase the pain. Rub the frozen tissues and limbs with a soft material, with your hands, and drink more hot lemon tea. And no alcohol!
4. Cuts
It’s very easy to cut yourself in the New Year’s rush. They unsuccessfully opened a can of canned food, hastily cut the ingredients for salads, the children smashed a Christmas tree toy, and the husband broke half of the festive service. There are many options for injury, but there are only two to eliminate them. If the cut is strong, then you have a direct road to the emergency room (or call an ambulance), and if the injury is minor, then you should properly treat the cut with hydrogen peroxide and apply a bandage. If you find a shrapnel, carefully remove it with tweezers and clean the wound. But still consult a doctor – after all, the wound can become inflamed.
5. Stomach problems
Be prepared to overeat yourself – everything is so tasty and you want to try everything right away. Unfortunately, our stomachs and intestines are completely unprepared for such a food attack. You have two options: either you keep track of the amount you eat, or you prepare your body for the belly feast. Girls, perhaps, will cope with such a task (in vain, perhaps, they sat on diets and fasting days. The body is already trained!). But what to do with husbands and children who have fallen for goodies? Give your spouse some vegetable or fruit before the meal. This could be a light fruit salad, for example. Explain that this is how you need to start the motor skills of the body so that later the whole evening does not lie with a swollen belly. Do not feed children with salads, heavily watered sauces and mayonnaise. If the dish has stood on the holiday table for a long time, there is a chance that it could sour. An adult organism (and not everyone either!) Can cope, but for a tender child, such a salad can be disastrous. It is better to arrange a separate children’s table with dishes that will be useful for the little ones. And no soda! Better homemade compotes, milkshakes, juicy smoothies. Decorate glasses like New Year’s and your little one won’t even remember about sweet soda!
6. Bruises and fractures
Going to an ice rink, skiing, or downhill skiing can turn into a very traumatic adventure. To avoid bruises and fractures, wear comfortable clothing – puffs and ski suits will soften the impact of a fall. Be careful when skiing. Warm up the muscles with a little exercise, shake off, so to speak, tension. It is better not to arrange mass rides from the slides on sledges: not only can the sledges fly to the side and fall unsuccessfully, but there is also a risk of getting in the eye from the special joyfully waving their arms from the participants of the race.
If you could not avoid injury, do not self-medicate – immediately contact the trauma center or call an ambulance.