Christmas is just around the corner and festivities abound – but it's come with a warning about avoiding the wrong type of surprise.
Last December, 118 people injured themselves while setting up Christmas trees. It cost ACC more than $76,000. On top of that, 42 people hurt themselves last December while putting up lights, with a cost of over $31,000.
Thirty-eight claims for ham injuries last December saw ACC fork out more than $52,000.
ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said most of the ham injures were caused by people cutting themselves.
"So, to avoid that, have a super sharp knife and do it on a cutting board that's not going to slip," he advised. "Put something under the cutting board like a damp cloth and you'll be sweet.
"The biggest issues are the Christmas trees and the lights, they're both part of a much bigger problem.
"People are falling when they're putting lights up and they're tripping over things."
Whitaker suggested using a proper step ladder if you're putting your lights up high, instead of a chair.
"Avoid overreaching," he said. "Instead, take the time to hop down, move your little ladder and go back up again.
"It'll take a few more seconds but it will be totally worth it."
Most of the tree-related injuries come when people are moving or carrying them.
"You can avoid that by actually getting someone to help you, plan the path you're gonna take and make sure it's clear of anything that could trip you up, and then you should be sweet.
"And you can apply that approach to anything you're gonna do throughout the year as well," Whitaker added.
Asked if alcohol was also a factor, he said it "could be" – and stress is the other major factor.
"They're trying to do everything all at once, and a lot of injuries can actually be prevented if you just take the chance to step back, have a bit of a think... and then do one thing at a time."
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