As the holiday season approaches, emergency departments across Connecticut brace for a familiar surge in preventable injuries and health emergencies. Slippery walkways, crowded kitchens, winter sports, and holiday stress all contribute to an increase in visits that can disrupt celebrations and strain health systems.

“During the holidays, we see a predictable increase in ER visits related to accidents, overexertion and stress,” says Steven Valassis, MD, FACEP, emergency medicine physician at Hartford HealthCare St. Vincent Medical Center. “A little awareness goes a long way in keeping people safe and out of the hospital.”

Winter recreation is a major driver of emergency department volume, with approximately 125,000 visits each year tied to winter sports. Nearly half of those injuries are related to skiing and snowboarding, followed by ice skating and sledding. Head injuries account for about 20 percent of skiing and snowboarding visits, while fractures and soft-tissue injuries each represent roughly one-third. Ice skating injuries are particularly concerning, with nearly 80 percent involving head trauma.

At home, rushed holiday cooking leads to spikes in cuts and burns. “We see an increase in cuts and burns this time of year,” says Valassis. “Most happen when people are multitasking or distracted.”

Travel, indulgent meals, dehydration, and unmanaged stress also take a toll on heart health, digestion, and the immune system. “Car accidents are a major cause of holiday ER visits,” Valassis says. “Simple precautions save lives.”

While emergency care remains critical when symptoms are serious, Valassis emphasizes prevention. “The goal isn’t to avoid care when you need it,” he says. “It’s to avoid preventable emergencies so you can enjoy the holidays safely.”