The holiday season is a time for family gatherings, festive traditions, and making memories. But between decorating, cooking, traveling, and celebrating, it's also a time when unexpected medical emergencies can interrupt even the best-laid plans.
To help you prepare, we spoke with Jaran Floyd, EMS Battalion Chief and MASA Senior Regional Sales Executive, and Will Winters, former flight paramedic and MASA Vice President of Broker and Strategic Partnerships, about the emergencies they've encountered during the holidays, the surprising situations that lead to 911 calls, and the simple precautions that can make a big difference.
Their biggest takeaway? A little preparation — and knowing when to ask for help — can go a long way toward keeping the holidays happy and safe.
When you think of holiday emergencies, kitchen accidents or falls while hanging decorations might come to mind. And while those certainly happen, Floyd and Winters say some of the most noticeable holiday-related incidents involve alcohol, motor vehicle accidents, and family conflicts.
With more people traveling, attending parties, and gathering with relatives, the potential for accidents increases. Alcohol-related incidents can range from impaired driving to disagreements that escalate into physical altercations — even at family gatherings.
Other seasonal hazards include falls from ladders while decorating, grease fires in the kitchen, fireplace mishaps, and injuries involving fireworks.
Interestingly, our interviewees noted that holiday emergency call volumes aren't always higher than usual. Some holidays are surprisingly quiet, while others bring a steady stream of calls. The unpredictable nature of emergencies is exactly why preparation matters.
One memorable example Floyd shared involves a holiday cooking tradition: deep-frying a turkey.
Putting a frozen turkey into hot oil can cause a dangerous overflow and potentially start a serious fire. While public safety education has helped reduce these incidents, it's a reminder that even familiar holiday traditions can carry unexpected risks.
The same goes for lighting a fireplace that hasn't been used in months or climbing onto a roof to hang decorations. What begins as an effort to create the perfect holiday atmosphere can quickly turn into an emergency.
Their advice? Don't overlook basic safety precautions. Use ladders carefully, have your chimney inspected and cleaned before use, keep appropriate fire safety equipment accessible, and never put a frozen turkey into a deep fryer.
And when celebrating with fireworks, follow local safety guidelines and never handle them while impaired.
One of the most important concerns Floyd and Winters raised isn't necessarily what causes emergencies — it's how long people sometimes wait to seek help.
During the holidays, people may dismiss symptoms because they don't want to interrupt family gatherings or worry their loved ones.
Chest discomfort might be mistaken for indigestion after a large meal. Unusual abdominal discomfort may be overlooked, even though it can sometimes be associated with heart problems, particularly in women. A sudden, severe headache may be brushed off as stress or fatigue. Winters recalled responding to patients with unusual headaches that ultimately turned out to be strokes.
The lesson: Don't let holiday plans keep you from taking potentially dangerous symptoms seriously. Chest pain, sudden severe headaches, stroke symptoms, or other concerning changes warrant prompt medical attention. Call 911 for a suspected medical emergency.
Holiday travel brings its own challenges, particularly for people managing ongoing medical conditions.
Floyd recalled an emergency involving a visitor who became unconscious while away from home. Without access to the person's medical history or medication information, responding paramedics faced additional challenges in determining which treatments could be administered safely.
It's a situation that highlights something many travelers overlook: bringing your medications is important, but bringing information about what the medication is treating is just as valuable.
Before leaving home, prepare a simple medical information list that includes:
Keep a copy somewhere easily accessible and make sure a trusted family member knows where to find it. This information can help emergency responders make informed decisions if you're unable to communicate.
Not every holiday emergency involves a physical injury. Floyd and Winters also discussed the emotional challenges that can accompany the season.
For people who are alone or separated from family, the holidays can intensify feelings of loneliness. Meanwhile, those hosting large gatherings may experience stress from trying to make everything perfect.
The paramedics encouraged people to remember that the holidays don't have to be flawless to be meaningful.
They also suggested checking in on neighbors, friends, or relatives who may be spending the holidays alone. A simple phone call, friendly visit, or invitation to share a meal can help someone feel remembered and supported.
Before the festivities begin, keep these practical precautions in mind:
After years of responding to emergencies, Winters shared that his experiences have given him a greater appreciation for time spent with loved ones. Knowing how unexpectedly life can change has helped him focus on being present and enjoying those moments.
It's a perspective worth remembering during the busy holiday season.
While no amount of planning can prevent every emergency, taking simple precautions can help reduce avoidable risks. And as a MASA member, knowing your membership benefits and keeping your assistance information readily available is another important part of being prepared.
This holiday season, focus on what matters most: celebrating safely, looking out for one another, and making memories with the people you love.