Alexa Jimena Ochoa

“Oww..” -Morton East senior student Gracey Paucar said after she had 3 falls this week.

The majority of students said they’ve suffered accidents during the winter.

In a recent survey of approximately 100 Morton East students, 36 reported never experiencing an injury, while 64 confirmed having encountered injuries during the winter season.  Christmas comes with caution: decorations can pose potential dangers for households.  According to the National Safety Council, safety precautions are crucial to avoid accidents and fire hazards this season:

• Never leave fireplaces or candles unattended, especially when going to sleep.
• Regularly check toys for safety, as there have been an estimated 145,500 deaths of children aged 12 and younger associated with Emergency Department injuries related to buying and playing with toys.
• When using lights, ensure there are no fractured or broken parts, and limit the number to three in a cord to reduce the risk of fires.
• Always water live trees to prevent needle shedding, which could cause a short circuit or start a fire before decorations are added.
• Exercise caution when handling and loading items into vehicles to minimize the risk of accidents, back pain, or severe injuries, especially in workplaces

“Hace 6 años, una vez que llegué a mi trabajo, estaba caminando y estaba resbaloso porque un día antes había caído agua-nieve. Me caí al entrar a mi trabajo, me lastimé la muñeca derecha y la rodilla derecha. Estuve en terapia alrededor de 6 meses, me recuperé, pero todavía me duele, especialmente con el frío. Las caídas más peligrosas suelen ocurrir en invierno,” compartió la madre de la estudiante de Morton East, Alexa Ochoa.(said the mother of Morton East student,Alexa Ochoa).

However, some individuals have faced more severe injuries and accidents during the winter season.

“Many years ago, my mom slipped on the ice while Christmas shopping in downtown Chicago. She snapped her ankle. It was a pretty bad break that put her in the hospital over Christmas. Her ankle bothered her for decades after, especially when it was damp out,” said English teacher Mr. Kent Frankfother.

Despite most injuries being not too severe, some still have serious implications.

“One time I was running when I was 8, taking care of my aunt’s dog for the holidays. While taking him outside, I slipped and fell on my knees, getting severe bruises and feeling embarrassed. It was in front of a lady, and I wanted to cry and hide, but I had to address the situation promptly. I had my aunt’s dog!” shared senior Morton East Student Alexa Ochoa.