An ACC holiday KISS: Keep It Safe and Sound

An ACC holiday KISS: Keep It Safe and Sound

Last Christmas holidays 14,000 people had their well deserved vacation marred by injury.

"Summer holidays should be a time for you and your family to enjoy together. We don't want kiwis having their hard earned holidays cut short by an accident,” says Dr Keith McLea, ACC’s General Manager of Insurance and Prevention Services.

Packing up for the getaway should be filled with the promise of sun drenched days ahead but hundreds of holiday makers were injured before they even set off.

Gearing up to enjoy the great kiwi outdoors proved the most hazardous of holiday pastimes in 2010 with at least 62 people injured while loading gear into the car or on the trailer or lifting their tent down from the attic or garage.

Caravanning enthusiasts fared better registering less than a third of the injuries, although falls or strains while hooking up the caravan to the car was still the most common injury. For others accepting an invitation to stay with friends or family can lead to accidents as Dr McLea points out “Unfortunately people often fall when they’re in a house they’re not familiar like the family bach or a relative's home. But with a few simple changes and a bit of forward planning you can keep yourselves and your family injury free this summer."

• Keep stairs and hall ways well lit and free from clutter, especially if you have family members or guests who will need to use the bathroom in the night.
• If you’re lucky enough to be staying somewhere with a swimming pool, remember to actively supervise children at all time.
• Keep a torch beside your bed in case you have to get up in the night or leave a light on in the hall.
• Always turn on the light when going up or down stairs at night.
• Summer holidays often involve swimming and water play. Wipe up any spills or puddles caused by wet togs and showers as soon as they happen.
• Inspect barbeques for cracks in hoses, wear, major rusting, loose connections or leaks before use.

To review and print a copy of the full ACC Holiday Home Safety Checklist visit http://www.acc.co.nz/preventing-injuries/at-home/index.htm

ACC staff wish all Kiwis a safe and happy holiday.

ENDS