The combination of excitement, stress, tiredness and alcohol can create unexpected health hazards in the home at Christmas.

More than 80,000 people a year require hospital treatment for injuries such as falls, cuts and burns at Christmas time.

Christmas is a time when your home is likely to be full of people and, in the excitement, accidents can easily happen.

"We want to help people prevent their festivities being cut short by a trip to A&E," says Sheila Merrill, home safety manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

"Our message is that the home should be as safe as necessary, rather than as safe as possible. With a little more care and forward planning, most accidents could be avoided."

Kitchen

Hot fat, boiling water and sharp knives make the kitchen one of the most dangerous places to be during the holiday.

"The Christmas meal is probably the biggest meal most families cook all year and it needs careful planning to avoid injuries," says Merrill.

Try to keep other people (especially children) out of the kitchen, stay off the alcohol until you've finished cooking and wipe up spills as soon as they happen, so that people don't slip.

Stairs

Clutter, alcohol and tiredness make the stairs an accident hot spot during Christmas, says Merrill. Falling down steps or stairs after drinking is a common accident.

"Keep the stairs well lit and free from obstacles, especially if you have guests who could be going up to the bathroom during the night," she says.

Presents

Typical Christmas Day accidents include parents accidentally stabbing themselves with scissors that they've used instead of a screwdriver to assemble toys, people cutting themselves with knives when they're opening presents too quickly and people tripping over toys and electric cables in the rush to try their new computers and other appliances.

"Don't rush," says Merrill. "Take time to enjoy the moment. Have a screwdriver ready for toys that are screwed into packaging. Clear up the packaging and wrapping paper as you go along, and remember to recycle."

Christmas trees

Beware of your Christmas tree. That little Norwegian spruce is not as innocent as it looks. Every year, about 1,000 people are injured by their tree, usually while fixing stars, lights or other decorations to the higher branches, reports RoSPA.

"Always use a step ladder to put up the decorations and don't over-reach yourself," says Merrill. Buy the correct size tree so you don't have to saw the top off and risk cutting yourself.

Fairy lights

Around 350 people a year are hurt by Christmas tree lights, according to RoSPA. Injuries include people falling while they're putting them up, children swallowing the bulbs and people getting electric shocks and burns from faulty lights.

"Test your lights and the wiring before you put them up, as they can deteriorate over the years. If you have old lights, buy new ones that meet higher safety standards," says Merrill. "Don't overload sockets, as that's a fire risk."

Decorations

About 1,000 people a year are hurt when decorating their homes, says RoSPA. Children bite into glass baubles and adults fall while using unstable chairs instead of ladders to put up streamers, or fall out of lofts while looking for the decorations.

"Glass decorations should be placed out of the reach of toddlers and pets," says Merrill. Novelty decorations, such as stuffed Santas, reindeer and snowmen, which look like toys, may not comply with strict toy safety regulations and, therefore, should not be within the reach of children.

Candles

People are 50% more likely to die in a house fire over Christmas than at any other time of year. Taking care with candles and oil burners is one way to help you and your family and friends avoid the pain and suffering of a Christmas house fire.

"Never put candles on or near a Christmas tree," says Merrill. "Never leave an open flame unattended." Always place tea lights inside an appropriate container. "They have been known to burn through baths and television sets," she says.

Christmas plants

Mistletoe is poisonous. Its berries contain toxic proteins that slow the heart rate and can cause hallucinations. The orange berries of the Christmas cherry can cause stomach pains, and the Christmas rose is such an effective cause of diarrhoea it was used as a chemical weapon by the ancient Greeks. "Check with the garden centre whether the plants you're buying are toxic," says Merrill. "If they are, keep them out of the reach of children."

Stress

Christmas is one of the most stressful times of the year. The combination of drink, relatives, lack of sleep and the stress of Christmas shopping can be too much for some people.

Try to find some time alone, even if it's only to have a relaxing bath. Learn to say no to the demands of relatives. It's important not to suppress your emotions and to try to talk to someone you trust or a third party, such as the Samaritans.

Indigestion and food poisoning

Food poisoning is always a worry at Christmas. Read the instructions on the turkey well. It takes hours to cook a turkey properly and if you don't the result can be salmonella, which can be life-threatening for vulnerable people.

Studies by the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) reveal that, on average, we gain two kilograms (five pounds) in weight during the Christmas period, so restrict the amount of chocolate, cakes and nuts you eat.

Alcohol

Apart from the risks to your own health, alcohol can be the chief mischief maker when it comes to accidents. "It reduces your risk awareness," says Merrill. "Alcohol can make people relax so much that they don't think about everyday risks."

After a party, empty any alcohol out of glasses. Children are likely to drink the remains if they get up early to play with their toys. Never drink and drive.