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Health and Wellness

3 Holiday Mistakes that Could Land You In the Hospital

The holidays can be hazardous to your health—for reasons that might surprise you.
Decorating accidents
Illustration: Heather Landis
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Reckless Decorating
Every year thousands of people suffer holiday accidents like falls, cuts from broken ornaments, and shocks from lights and electrical equipment, according to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission. And as our zeal for over-the-top and DIY decorations increases, so do the mishaps: There were 14,500 decorating-related accidents in 2014, up from 10,000 in 2007. “Safety often takes a back seat to creativity,” says Kim Dulic, a spokesperson for the commission. Be especially careful while hanging angels on high: Half of all holiday injuries are due to falls.

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From the December 2016 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
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