North West Hospital and Health Service (HHS) wishes to remind the community to enjoy the Christmas break, while keeping safety at the forefront of their minds.

While many in the community enjoy a period of rest and relaxation over the Christmas and New Year period, the emergency department experiences a significant increase in presentations compared to the rest of the year.

It was reported that between 24 December 2023 and 1 January 2024, 1,369 people presented to emergency departments across the north west.

Director of Medical Services, Dr Erica West, is urging the community to prioritise safety and use common sense to ensure a happy and incident-free holiday.

“Christmas is a time for celebration, but it’s also a time to stay vigilant about safety, particularly when it comes to children, the heat, and the holiday festivities,” said Dr West.

Here are some of Dr West’s top safety reminders for the holiday season:

• Pool safety: If you have a pool, or are around any body of water, always supervise children and brush up on your Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) skills.
• Sun safety: Protect yourself from sun exposure by wearing sunscreen, hats, and staying in the shade during peak hours.
• Batteries: Keep batteries out of reach of children, especially button batteries. These small batteries when swallowed can cause severe injury or even death.
• Cars and heat: Never leave children or pets unattended in cars, as they can overheat very quickly, even in cooler weather.
• Hydration and alcohol: Stay hydrated, especially if consuming alcohol. Make sure you’re having plenty of water in between drinks, drink responsibly, don’t drive under the influence or engage in risky behaviour.
• Flooded roads: Avoid driving through flooded areas. You may have driven the road a thousand times, but floodwaters can be deceptive and may hide hazards. ‘If it’s flooded, forget it’.
• Food safety: With plenty of food sharing during the holidays, be mindful of food poisoning. If food has been left out too long, it’s safer to discard it. Store leftovers below 4 degrees Celsius and reheat to at least 60 degrees Celsius before eating, consuming any leftovers within 2-3 days.

“By taking these simple precautions, we can all help ensure a safe and joyful holiday season,” said Dr West.

A little sensibility and judgement this Christmas and New Year period will ensure the community enjoys the break and hopefully diminishes the chances of ending up in an emergency department.