How to reduce injury risk over the holiday period

New Zealanders are being urged to take precautions to prevent injuries as the summer holidays draw closer.

A leading international trauma specialist told 1News when it comes to serious injury most people think it’s "never going to happen to them".

"But the data would suggest it’s the leading cause of death in the developed world for anybody aged under 44," Professor Eileen Bulger says.

Bulger was a guest speaker at the National Trauma Symposium in Wellington in November and addressed more than 300 specialist trauma workers from around Aotearoa New Zealand.

"If you care about people in your family who are under the age of 44, you have children, you have teenagers, this is the greatest risk they face," Bulger said.

She said that reducing the risk of preventable injury and death is something everyone should be mindful of as the country heads into the busy holiday season.

Prevention experts said one way to avoid injury is by ensuring all baggage and loose items in your car are packed away and secure before a road trip.

This will ensure no one is injured by a "flying and potentially fatal missile".

Emergency services also ask travellers to keep track of their location – especially in an unfamiliar area. Knowing exactly where you are will help emergency services pinpoint people in need of help.

Hato Hone St John said brushing up on basic first aid could also save lives.

"A really big message that we’d like to get out is for everyone in New Zealand, young or old, is to know how to do CPR,” said Andy Everiss, St John Auckland operations manager.

"CPR is life saving and it’s so vital people know how to do CPR because you could come across and incident at any time. Knowing how to do CPR effectively will save someone’s life."

You can see the correct way to perform CPR in this video featuring Richie McCaw from 2021.

Bulger said it’s also important to discuss a safety plan with teenagers and young people who are heading away on holiday with friends – perhaps for the first time without their family.

“Having a conversation with young people about the risks of drinking and driving or really any substance abuse in driving," she said.

"You don’t know what’s in any pill anybody gives you so you are putting yourself at risk any time you do that."

Bulger said having a designated driver, or an alternative like Uber if possible, offers an option in the face of peer pressure.