Michael Levitt's Blog, page 103
January 14, 2021
Why Do Small Companies Need To Provide Training Opportunities?
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay
Traditionally most small businesses do not tend to offer their staff any form of formal training. The reason why is quite simple; they do not have the funds or the resources to be able to do so. Nevertheless, many small companies are seeing the need for training, both in terms of corporate growth and holding onto their key employees. Thus they are compromising via reallocating their budget or looking for ways to increase it. This means that they can offer bite-sized affordable training courses to their current members of staff. But why are SMEs suddenly so eager to invest in training their employees?
First of all, let’s think about this in the eye of the employee. They are going to feel much more confident about doing their job if they have received the proper training for the role. Not only this but providing training is imperative in ensuring that you keep hold of your best members of staff. If you don’t provide educational opportunities then they are never going to feel like they have a chance of moving up the career ladder within your company or bettering themselves. Thus, they will seek somewhere else i.e. a company who presents them with this opportunity. Whether you offer managed IT services or accounting, training is a must.
No one is denying the fact that training can be expensive for SMEs, especially when they cannot avoid the high costs of e.g. getting professionals to give on-site training, however, there are ways you can generate an ROI. In industries whereby employees have individual billing rates, they can increase the price they charge if they achieve more qualifications and certificates. This will consequently lead to increased revenue for the firm itself. Just think of the money you will save by holding onto your employees alone. After all, replacing members of staff can be a costly process in itself, evading this means you eliminate excess costs and hassle.
You should also bear in mind the fact that the world of business is definitely changing at present. The environment is more competitive with increased attention placed on global trading. Furthermore, organisational working practices have seen a decrease in the number of staff utilized yet an increase in the skills required from them as they set about to perform a diverse set of tasks. This seems to be the recipe for success. However, in order for this to be the case, staff need to be trained in order to improve efficiency, knowledge and skills. Furthermore, if you combine this with the loyalty you will generate through the earlier point regarding keeping your staff satisfied, then you are going to benefit from a workforce that not only has the skills to succeed but is also committed too. Consequently, you will not only have a much higher chance of survival but growth and progression will be within reach.
When you take everything into account it is not hard to see why more and more SMEs are investing in training. Of course, this should be done to the extent that your budget will allow. Nonetheless, if you were to completely disregard training then this is only going to lead to your company falling behind the competition in your field, which is obviously the last thing you want to occur.
3 Reasons Why Starting a Business in the CBD Industry is Smart
Photo by Oliver King from Pexels
Most people start businesses based on their passions, or things they have a lot of knowledge about. But, sometimes a product or service comes along that is too good to pass up when it comes to a business opportunity.
In recent years, that has been the case for CBD. According to 2019 Consumer Reports, there is a rapidly growing market for CBD in the form of edibles, tinctures, sprays, skincare products, and more.
So, if you know you want to branch out and start your own business, but you’re not sure which industry to break into, you may want to consider CBD. Despite its popularity, it’s still in its early stages of growth. Starting a CBD business now can help you to find meaningful work as you help others with everything from aches and pains to stress.
Still not sure if it’s the right path for you? Let’s look at a few reasons why it could be a smart business move.
1. The Stigma is Going Away
One of the reasons CBD products are becoming more popular is because the stigma surrounding CBD is continuing to fade. For a long time, there was a misconception that CBD was the same as THC - the compound in marijuana that gives you that “high” feeling.
CBD doesn’t contain any THC and doesn’t have any adverse effects. You won’t feel high or disoriented in any way. Now that more people are starting to realize that, they are more willing to try CBD products.
With that being said, it’s still important to keep your business safe with things like a High Risk CBD Merchant Account, since it is still considered a high-risk business, for now.
We touched on a few of the products CBD is being used for above, but it’s a product line that is continuing to expand, which can continuously attract new audiences. Now, CBD products are even being used in cooking, and for pets. That opens up an entirely new avenue of people, and if you market things the right way, you’ll see success. If you choose to run a business that features a variety of different products that can appeal to different markets, your customer base could be huge and continuously growing.
Not only will the stigmas against CBD continue to fade away, but the awareness of its benefits will continue to grow. People use CBD for everything from anxiety relief to aching joints and muscles. It is being researched as an anti-seizure medication, and some studies have suggested it can even help with certain forms of cancer.
As more research is done and more benefits are explored, more people will be interested in how CBD can help them.
So, if you know you want to start a new business venture, but you’ve been stuck on where to launch, consider CBD. Now is the perfect time to jump into the industry, learn everything you can about the product(s), and use your business-savvy skills to market your new venture to a variety of target markets.
January 13, 2021
How To Drive More Traffic To Your Website
Infographic design by Rockerbox Inc.
Let’s face it: the only way you’re going to get more customers buying stuff from your website is by having more active visitors. The question is, how do you get more genuine website visitors that are likely to spend their money with you?
The answer is simple: be proactive with your online marketing approach, as the following illustrates:
Make sure your website is functionalHow does your website look on both desktop and mobile browser screens? Is it quick to load? And does the site’s structure make sense? Those are just some of the questions you need to answer before doing any promotional work.
If there are concerns about any of those points, you’ll likely need to spend some time getting your website redesigned. The good news is that visitors will stay on your site for longer and be more inclined to purchase items once that happens.
Check that your content is up to scratchOnce you know that your website is accessible to all and is quick to load, you must turn your attention to its content. Does it pack a punch? Is it good at delivering the key messages you wish to convey to your target audience?
There are many ways you can improve your website’s content:
Use professional product photographs to help customers visualize your products in their intended setting;
Embed demonstration videos that showcase the main features and benefits of your products.
Use the right marketing platforms and toolsLastly, it makes sense to use the most common marketing platforms and technologies to drive traffic to your website. The following DTC marketing stack gives you a comprehensive example of what and who you should be using:
Infographic design by Rockerbox Inc.
Being More Productive With Your Working Day
Photo by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels
Everyone knows that to be a good worker, you’re going to have to be productive. Your company has hired you for a reason and you need to make sure that you’re meeting their expectations. If you’re running the business yourself, you also have to be productive, as your profits depend on your efforts. Right now, many of us are finding ourselves in a relatively new working situation, having to work from home rather than working from an office-based space in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus and Covid-19. No matter how organized and predictive you were while working in an office, you may find yourself struggling while working in an environment that you usually relate to relaxation and winding down. So, what can you do to make sure that you can still be productive - even while operating in this space? Here are a few things you can do to make sure that you are still meeting expectations and hitting your targets, goals, and KPIs!
If possible, work from a desk. If you don’t have one, see whether your employer will invest in one for you. When you work in an office, you always have a desk to work from. When you work from home, it can be tempting to start working from the bed or the sofa. But you’ll find you complete much better work if you create yourself some sort of actually working space. Plus, having a desk and a chair at the desk will help to support your posture, proving good for your overall health and wellbeing too.
If you run your business, chances are you have a whole lot on your hands. It can be difficult to manage everything at once while still advancing your business. Often, you’ll find that some administrative duties and customer service duties can prevent you from focusing on more urgent business like product development, recruitment or marketing. The good news is that you can free up your time without hiring full or part-time staff during these unstable and difficult times. Instead, you can eliminate all administrative work in your schedule by outsourcing. This will get the work done with minimal commitment on your side.
This may sound like an odd one, but natural light can make a huge difference to your productivity levels. A huge number of studies have been carried out into the effects of natural light on our bodies and the results are generally conclusive - we need natural light to work well. So, when choosing your workspace in your home, make sure that it’s flooded with natural light. Sit near a window. Make sure that the blinds are up or the curtains are open. It really will make a significant difference!
Sure, there are plenty more things you can do to make sure you're hitting your goals in the home workplace. But hopefully, those outlined above will make all the difference and get the ball rolling in the right direction!
How To Use The COVID-19 Pandemic To Benefit Your Future
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed people’s lives and unfortunately for many, it has had a negative impact on many people. The Coronavirus seemed to come to appear overnight and took over the world at a rapid pace. It meant that people had to cancel their weddings, it meant others lost their jobs, businesses closed and thousands of people have lost their lives. The pandemic has made people realize how precious life is and that it can change overnight. The pandemic has also made people think about what they would do differently if there was another pandemic and how they might change what they’re doing now. If COVID-19 hasn't made you reconsider your future, then perhaps you can take some positives from it and look to how your future can benefit from it.
Unfortunately, many people have struggled financially due to the pandemic. They have lost jobs and struggled to run their businesses, however other businesses have thrived and people have kept their jobs as normal or worked from home. If you are one of those people who hasn’t been affected financially by the pandemic then you should be able to save some money. If you’re working from home then you can save money on your commute, take-out coffees, expensive lunches, and socializing. You can’t go on holiday, you can’t go out drinking or for expensive meals and while this may be very boring, it does mean that you can save pennies.
The pandemic has taught us that anything can happen and it has made people think more about what they need to do if there was another pandemic or something else that could change the world overnight. With more time to think you can not only think about your future and what you want to do, but you can think about how to do it right. For example, if you want to own your own business one day, you can use the time stuck indoors to plan this and you can plan it with the knowledge of Coronavirus. So for example, you can look at how you would implement social distancing and safety but also find out more about getting the right business insurance policy that might cover a global pandemic. You can use the time to get prepared for any eventuality, to make a plan B, and to work on ideas for how you can change your business model at the last minute if you need to.
If part of your life plan is to own your own business, change your career, or to progress further and move up in the one you're currently in, then you can use this time of lockdown or working from home to add new skills to your portfolio. There are so many great online courses and webinars that can help you right now, and it's a great time to work on your future. With vaccines being distributed now there is hope and a light at the end of the tunnel; life will get back to normal and soon enough you’ll find yourself busy again, don’t look back on this time and regret what you didn’t do. Look back on it and know that you used it wisely and helped yourself to develop and progress your life.
January 12, 2021
Do These 5 Things Before Launching Your New Product
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
Releasing a new product is a great way to grow your business, increase your market share and boost your profitability. However, product development isn’t always an easy process. With so many things to consider – and numerous pitfalls to avoid – you’ll want to ensure you have a solid strategy in place. To get started, take a look at these five things to do before launching your new product:
1. Conduct Market Research
You might think you have a great idea for a new product, but do your target audience agree? Without detailed knowledge of the market, you increase the risk of loss following a product launch. Conversely, carrying out in-depth market research now allows you to take a customer-centric approach throughout the entire product development phase. By keeping your target audience at the forefront of your mind, you can ensure every aspect of your new product appeals to them.
2. Find the Right Partner
When you’re producing a new business design, there are endless things to consider. From building a prototype and finding the right manufacturing facilities to designing packaging and planning a launch, you’ll need to rely on input from a variety of professionals along the way. That’s why finding the right partner is so important. With a mix of expertise, experience, and resources, you can access any support you need when you have the right product development partner.
Photo by Chokniti Khongchum from Pexels
3. Test the Product
Testing should be a core element throughout the development phase, as it allows you to identify potential issues early on and eradicate them from your product design. Regular testing can prevent waste and ensures your product goes through multiple refinements before it makes it to the market. As well as safety testing and quality testing, using real-life members of your target audience as testers helps you to gain insight into what they think of your new product and what changes need to be made.
4. Define Your USP
As a brand, you should have a unique selling proposition (USP) that sets you apart from your competitors. However, each product in your range needs to have a USP too. If you’re releasing an updated version of an existing product, for example, what new features or design elements are present to encourage customers to upgrade? When your products have a clear USP, you can use this to market them and entice members of your target audience to make a purchase.
5. Being Planning Your Next Product
Product development isn’t a one-off activity. In fact, you should have multiple products and/or versions in the development phase at any one time. Before releasing your next product, you should already have future versions in the development phase, so that they’re ready to launch within a specified timeframe.
Honing Your Product Development
As a manufacturer or retailer, your commercial success relies on the quality and design of your products. Due to this, it’s vital to create goods that solve problems, spark interest, and offer genuine value. By doing so, you can capture a larger share of the market, differentiate your brand from competitors, and facilitate record sales.
January 11, 2021
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Currency Trading?
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Forex trading - or foreign exchange trading - is the biggest market in the world and it is something that many people around the world take part in each and every day.
Trading and investing is something a lot of us have thought about doing at one point in our lives, whether it be trading currency or something else or investing in property.
Currency is the biggest market for trading and today we want to talk you through some of the pros and cons of investing in currency this year to make some extra money at home.
There’s always opportunity
One of the best reasons to take a look at the forex market is that there is always an opportunity to buy and sell. This is the biggest trading market in the world with people trading over $5.9 trillion every single day. You will never have a dry spell when trading because there is always someone on the market at any one time to trade with.
The great thing about the forex market is that it is never closed. You will be able to trade with others around the world 24/7 as different markets will open at different times of the day. It means if you miss the UK market opening you can wait for China to open late at night or even wait for the Australian market and trade here during your downtime. Trading is able to fit around you and your lifestyle and is flexible to you.
Trading can be a brilliant way to make money - and there are a lot of people out there in the world who make a ton of money through it. Trading on the forex market can bring big wins as long as you take the time to learn the essential strategies that govern it. You can really win big and delve into a whole world of knowledge by choosing to get involved in this market.
It’s risky
Every form of investment has a risk - but the currency market, in particular, can be unpredictable due to the current events around the world and the changeability of them. For example let’s look at the impact of COVID on many currencies around the world, or perhaps even the election of President Trump in 2016. There are many factors that could change the value of a currency in seconds so you need to be aware of the news and keep up to date with it while you trade to ensure you buy or sell at the right time.
Tax is something you may not consider in the trading world - however, everything is taxed and you need to be ready for this charge. If you are unsure about tax for certain currency such as cryptocurrency, you can use some crypto tax software to help you calculate it. You need to decide whether the tax is worth the trouble of trading in the first place.
Make your own judgments on forex trading and see if this is the right hobby and money-making tool for you this year.
Boosting Your Balance In 2021: Advice For Business Owners
Image by Nattanan Kanchanaprat from Pixabay
2020 was a challenging year for the majority of business owners. After months of lockdowns and a struggle to stay afloat, many company owners are starting 2021 with a battle on their hands. If you run a business, and you’re looking to boost your balance in the months ahead, this guide contains useful information and tips to help you reduce expenses and increase your income.
Staffing costsPaying wages accounts for a significant portion of the outgoings posted by most companies. Whether you have a small business or a large-scale corporation, it is likely that you’re paying out a substantial sum in salaries or staffing costs. Some organizations have grown during the pandemic, but others have found it difficult to stay above water. If your income is dropping, or you’ve had to scale back operations due to Covid-19, it’s advisable to take a good look at the current staffing structure you use and explore some options that may be open to you. Flexible employment arrangements can often save businesses a huge amount of money. If you don’t have staff on fixed, permanent contracts, speak with them and see if you can come up with ideas that are mutually beneficial. Some employees may be willing to reduce their hours, some may want to work remotely more frequently and some may even consider taking voluntary redundancy. If you run a seasonal business, it’s always beneficial to offer short-term contracts to boost numbers during peak periods and save money during quieter spells. Business owners can also take advantage of the cost-saving benefits of outsourcing. Outsourcing offers an alternative to hiring employees on a long-term basis. Whatever decisions you make, it’s vital to communicate with your employees and to ensure they know where they stand. You must also act in accordance with employment regulations.
Real estate costs
Some entrepreneurs rent business spaces, while others own their business premises. If you rent a store, a warehouse, an office or a space for hospitality services, 2020 may have caused your requirements to change. The outbreak of Covid-19 triggered a mass exodus from offices and other communal workspaces, prompting millions of people to start working from home. In light of the situation, many employers are paying rent on offices and retail units that they are not currently using. While there are measures in place to support business owners, it may be advantageous to think carefully about whether you would like to continue or renew your lease once the term comes to an end. Do you need an office? Are you paying for an exclusive zip code or address when you no longer need to? If your employees are happy working from home, and the switch hasn’t affected operations or efficiency, you could save a fortune by swapping to a remote workforce. If you need meeting areas or a business address, you could consider a virtual office. If you still want to have a base, but the location is no longer critical, moving out of town will save you money.
If you own your business premises or your own land, there may be ways to earn money from the plot. You could also consider selling up or putting the space up for rent if your needs have changed. Before you make a decision, weigh up the pros and cons and think about your requirements. If you have a remote workforce now, and you wish to continue once measures are relaxed, you could sell the premises or offer the space to a tenant. It’s also important to be aware of factors such as cell tower lease. If you own land, and a company wants to use a cell tower on that plot, research average lease rates for cell towers and consider hiring an expert to represent you and help you get the best price. You may also be able to generate an income from your land by renting out individual areas, such as office space or outdoor buildings for agriculture or storage. If you don’t want to keep hold of the premises, there is also an option to sell. If you’re developing and expanding your business with a different working model, you could reinvest the funds.
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay
Tapping into new trends
There is no doubt that the Covid-19 crisis has shattered some industries, but it has also opened doors. If you operate within a sector that is struggling, or you’re looking to capitalize on the opportunity to grow your business in 2021, look out for emerging trends and try and adapt and adjust to generate new income streams. The demand for certain products has soared, for example. If you start producing items or offering services that are in demand, you could recover losses or add to profits. Analyze sales figures, look at what consumers are buying and think about how you could modify your business model or the product ranges you offer to attract customers and replace items or services that may not be as popular as normal. An example is home fitness. More people are working out at home than ever before. If you have a clothing brand, explore the possibility of expanding your collection to offer activewear and gym gear. It’s also a great idea to offer loungewear and pajamas, as people are spending more time at home. If you usually develop products like gadgets or household items, you could start working on ideas for home gym equipment. With any new product, it’s crucial to undertake research to gauge the level of demand, get an idea of what kinds of products are already on the market, analyze price points and gather information about your target buyer.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels
Many business owners will be starting 2021 with the aim of staying afloat and trying to turn their fortunes around after an incredibly difficult year in 2020. If you’re on a mission to improve your financial situation, it’s beneficial to focus on reducing expenses and increasing your income. Analyze your finances, look for areas where you could make cutbacks, and try and boost sales by capitalizing on new trends.
January 9, 2021
Why Pursuing a Career in Nursing is a Smart Move
Photo by Adhy Savala on Unsplash
At the beginning of the year, some people start to look forward and make goals to help them reach their hopes and dreams. One area where many people are unhappy is with their work. Some people feel underappreciated at their job, want a change, want a pay increase, or want work that is more fulfilling.
Pursuing a career in nursing has been a smart choice for a long time, and it is ranked as one of the best jobs in 2020 by the U.S. News & World Report. The field of nursing in itself is a wide industry that encompasses many different areas and jobs. One of the things that makes this such a good career path is its versatility and adaptability to different personalities and interests.
Career Paths for Nursing Degrees
Psychiatric mental health nurses provide care exclusively to patients dealing with psychiatric disorders. They see patients either at a mental health facility or work as home care nurses who travel to see their patients. An RN license and an associate degree in nursing are both required for this job title.
A physician’s office nurse will work directly with a doctor in a private practice setting. They will ensure that medical histories are accurate and take vital signs before the doctor sees each patient to make the process smoother.
A nurse case manager deals mostly with administrative duties surrounding patient healthcare needs. They manage the patients’ needs to create and implement care plans. They are also responsible to talk to insurance providers and other healthcare professionals for the patients.
A nursing informatics specialist is responsible for working with other healthcare professionals to correlate information, knowledge, and data about a patient to increase care across multiple settings. They usually also help to develop clinical information systems.
You can also be a school nurse and work in an educational setting. You will help students address their health needs and educate them about health issues. You may often need to respond to health emergencies that happen on school grounds.
Legal consultancy nurses work for an insurance company to organize and maintain records for legal purposes. They will prepare graphs for visual aids to use in trials. You usually have to have an RN license and years of clinical experience before you can transition to this role.
A research nurse will focus more on data instead of patient care. They will arrange the clinical schedules and procedures, collect vitals and samples, and record data. They will often work with patients in clinical trials to help create new treatment plans for diseases and other medical issues. This is a good path for those who are more academically inclined and are interested in being at the forefront of medical changes.
Nursing can be a demanding and stressful job at times, but it can also be very rewarding. There are many reasons why you may want to pursue a career in nursing, but here are a few to think about before making such an important decision.
There is a large demand for nurses right now, so there is job security. Hospitals are having a hard time meeting the demands as more people have access to insurance and baby boomers get older and need more care. There is also a large number of RNs that are reaching retirement age, so they will need to be replaced.
It is important to find work that is meaningful, and nurses spend their time helping people get well. You can actually make a difference in the world by being a nurse. You will have some very vulnerable and sick people come into your life, and you will get to provide care for them. Nurses, of course, care for the physical needs of the patients, but they also can care for their emotional needs as well. This kind of impact isn’t present in many careers.
Nurses also have the potential to make a good salary. Because there is such a wide range of jobs within this career path, the earning potential is also widely varied. Even the low end of the scale is a respectable salary and there is always room for advancement.
The field of nursing is also always changing because of advancements in technology. This makes it a good career path for people who enjoy a challenge and to keep learning and growing in their field. Technology is drastically changing the way the medical field operates. Informatics is a completely new career path open to nurses now. Informatics specialists measure data and convert it into information that is easy to use in patient treatment. Nurses working in this field are shaping the future of medicine.
Nurses can hold a wide range of jobs and perform a lot of different responsibilities. They can be administrators, bloggers, professors, researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and even doctors. There are so many possibilities, that getting a degree in nursing allows you to change your job without having to change your career. Even if you start in one area of nursing and decide it is not a good fit, you can easily change to something else without having to start all over again.
Nursing is also a career path that has a supportive community of peers. There are organizations, interactive blogs and forums, and community boards to participate in frequently. There are also much larger associations like the American Nursing Association (ANA) that houses a lot of smaller, specialized groups. Resources like local groups, podcasts, and other communities are easy to find to get support and direction when you need it.
Nursing is also a great field for people who want to expand their educational reach. Because there is a push to increase the quality of nursing care, there are a lot of opportunities for nurses to pursue more education. Some hospitals and other employers are offering licensing programs or BSN degree support to their current staff. Sometimes they will even provide financial assistance. Taking advantage of these opportunities can help you transition into a specialized role or into a management position.
Nursing can also be a pretty flexible career. Nurses can have some flexibility over their schedule, but they also have flexibility in other areas as well. They can choose the location they want to work whether that is in a hospital, doctor’s office, home health care services, schools, or on an airplane as an emergency flight nurse. There is even the option to be a traveling nurse that rotates between different locations.
The path to becoming a nurse is also flexible. Nursing is a career path that can get you working in a career quickly as you continue your education or certification programs. This not only helps with the cost of education, but it also gives you hands-on experience that can be put on a resume for a different job later.
The nursing profession is also one that is well-respected by most people. It is something you can be proud of doing and most people will recognize that the work you are doing is making a difference.
Because the nursing field is so varied, it is important to do your research and find out which nursing path you want to start on before you get going. You should think about the kinds of things you would want to be doing each day and the environment in which you want to work. You can also specialize further if you are passionate about a certain area like pediatrics or critical care.
Once you have a rough idea of your career path, you will need to work towards a degree in that area. Most nursing positions do not require a Bachelor’s Degree, so you will most likely only need an Associate’s Degree to get started. You will probably have a period of classroom instruction, but you will also have some clinical experience. You should determine a program that is going to fit in your life and give you the best opportunities as you move forward.
Once you have a degree, you will need to get licensed. That will start by passing an exam to make sure you have the necessary knowledge to perform a nursing job. There will likely be other tests required by your state for you to do depending on the specific kind of nursing path you are on.
Once you reach this stage, you are ready to start looking for a job and getting to work. You will need some industry-specific uniforms and equipment. You can check out dickies scrubs from Uniform Advantage for all your scrub needs. You will probably also need a stethoscope or other medical equipment.
Even after you have a nursing job, your journey shouldn’t stop there. You need to be actively learning and staying abreast of the best ways to do your job. You should take continuing education courses, complete more certifications, or get an advanced degree to ensure you can bring the most to your job and also have opportunities for advancement.
January 8, 2021
The Most Common Holiday Injuries To Look Out For
Kitchen-related injuries happen everyday, but during the holiday season, these injuries actually increase. While we’re all scrambling to finish that four course holiday meal or throw together a gourmet Christmas breakfast for that special someone, many of us are bound to get hurt.
Stannah analyzed data from NEISS (National Electronic Injury Surveillance System) from last year to find out more about hazardous home accidents that send people to the ER during the holiday season. We’ll run you through the results below so you can take extra precautions.
The kitchen is the room where most of the holiday accidents occur. Considering the numerous ways you could burn, cut, and injure yourself while cooking, prepping, or cleaning, this makes a lot of sense.
The survey found 46.2% of the holiday accidents sending people to the ER were caused by kitchen knives, while 11.6% of the injuries were caused by tableware and other dining accessories. Burns and cuts were some of the most common injuries, but not all of these accidents led to an ER visit.
Fingers were the most commonly injured body parts (37.8% of those injured went in for a cut or hurt finger), while hands trailed behind at 16.2%. Feet were the third most injured body part, as it’s easy to drop hot cookware, knives, and other accessories while cooking or serving.
Who are holiday accidents happening to?You might think those doing most of the prep work and cooking are more likely to be injured, but that isn’t always the case. People coming into the kitchen to quickly help, set the table, or grab food for kids are also prone to injuries.
Women were slightly more likely to be injured than men overall, although men account for 69.6% of all alcohol-related accidents. When it comes to kitchen-specific accidents, men between 18 and 34 were the most frequently injured age and gender group.
Other holiday injuries to be aware ofGetting cut and burned in the kitchen aren’t the only potential injuries to look out for. This survey found that falls and injuries down a flight of stairs also increase during December, so be careful when bringing those heavy boxes of Christmas decorations up from the basement.
In fact, Christmas decorations were the number one holiday product associated with injuries, accounting for 41.5% of holiday item related ER visits. Chimneys and fireplaces came in second, followed by electric Christmas decorations. Artificial Christmas trees seem to cause the most damage, leading to internal injuries, lacerations, or sprains and strains.
Be careful this holiday season!Now that you know that injuries are more common during the holiday season, take proper precautions to keep your family safe. Be careful when cutting holiday food and put knives in safe places when not in use. Take extra precaution when lifting hot food and ensure there’s nothing you can trip over while serving your family. Don’t strain when decorating either — ask for help and always be cautious on stairs.
Happy holidays!
