Hand Injuries: Staying Safe This Festive Season.The festive season is a time of joy and celebration, but it’s also a period when hand injuries tend to spike.

Hand Injuries: Staying Safe This Festive Season

The festive season is a time of joy and celebration, but it’s also a period when hand injuries tend to spike. At The Upper Hand Clinic, we often see an increase in patients needing care for hand and upper limb injuries around this time of year. Let’s explore why this happens and, more importantly, how you can prevent it.

Why Are Hand Injuries More Common During the Festive Season?

1. End-of-Year Work Pressures: Many industries experience a rush to finish projects before the Christmas break. Whether you’re in construction, manufacturing, or an office job, the combination of tight deadlines and fatigue can increase the risk of accidents.

   
   

2. Increased Workload in Hospitality and Retail and other Industries. The holiday season is the busiest time for retail and hospitality workers, with longer shifts, faster-paced work, and repetitive tasks like carrying heavy trays, stocking shelves, or wrapping gifts. These demands can lead to strain, overuse injuries, and even accidents.

   
   

3. Celebrations and Holiday Fun. Decorating your home, opening champagne bottles, preparing large meals, or even backyard cricket can result in unexpected hand injuries. Lacerations from knives, burns from ovens, or sprains from slips and falls are common culprits.

   
   

Tips to Protect Your Hands This Holiday Season

1. At Work

   • Take regular breaks, especially if you’re doing repetitive tasks.

   • Use proper tools and safety equipment, and don’t rush jobs.

   • Stay mindful of fatigue—if you’re feeling tired, take a moment to reset.

2. In Hospitality and Retail

   • Ensure good ergonomics when lifting, carrying, or performing repetitive movements.

   • Use hand-friendly tools, like padded grips, where possible.

   • Stretch your hands and wrists during breaks to prevent strain.

3. During Celebrations

   • Use a towel to cover champagne corks when opening bottles to avoid sudden injuries.

   • Keep sharp tools like knives out of reach of children and store them safely.

   • Wear gloves for tasks like gardening or putting up lights to protect your hands.

When to Seek Help

If you experience pain, swelling, or reduced hand function after an injury, don’t ignore it. Early treatment is key to recovery. At The Upper Hand Clinic, we’re here to help you get back to doing the things you love, whether it’s work, play, or enjoying time with your family during the festive season.

Let’s make this holiday season safe and injury-free for everyone! If you’d like more tips or need assistance, book online today. Although availability is often limited around holiday times call 0344401930 and we will be happy to try and help you.

Stay safe and enjoy the festivities!