Alongside a report on the most common ways Kiwis have hurt themselves in 2022, ACC has also revealed ham-related injuries are surprisingly common over the December period.
Over the past 10 years, there have been an average of 50 ham-related injuries recorded every December, costing ACC more than $280,000.
The most common injury sustained in relation to Christmas hams are lacerations, punctures, and stings.
To reduce the chance of cutting yourself, ACC recommends ensuring you are using a sharp knife and cutting on a stable and dry surface.
One trick to stabilise a chopping board is to put a damp tea towel or kitchen cloth underneath.
ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said it's great to get into the holiday spirit - but it should be done in the "safest way" possible.
Injuries also often occur when lifting the hams, which can be deceptively heavy.
If possible, Kiwis should avoid putting strain on their lower back - ask for help if they need to - and make sure their kitchen floor is dry and clear of obstacles.
Soft tissue and ligament strain from moving or lifting heavy objects are among the leading causes of ACC injury claims.
Back in 2019 (the most recent pre-COVID year), there were over 160,000 of these injuries and it's estimated these will cost ACC close to $290 million.
70 percent of lifting injuries occurred in people's homes, and ACC said that all of them are preventable.
More than half of the injuries ACC supports people to recover from happened in the home.
The most common injuries sustained in the home are slips, trips, and falls.
"Slips, trips, and falls are a huge issue. They contributed to over one-third of all at-home claims (368,000 out of 909,000) in 2021 to November, and it will cost nearly $1 billion to help people recover from these injuries," Whitaker said.
Shockingly, there were 487 amputations so far in 2022 caused by accidents in the home.
"The upside is all of this is preventable. Take a moment to step back, choose to do things the safest way so you can keep on having fun over summer.
"I think we drop our guard a bit at home because workplaces are a bit more regulated. At home we feel comfortable and become a bit blasé at times," Whitaker said.
Lifting and carrying items remains the largest contributor to workplace injuries, with over 47,000 happening so far this year.
The most common injuries caused by at-work accidents were soft tissue injuries such as contusions, strains, and sprains.
There were 257 amputations caused by at-work injuries this year.
Over the past year, claims related to injuries caused by fighting totalled 7474.
"The data we are covering comes from the information that goes into the forms when people seek cover from ACC. So we are limited to what people put into their claim form, or what their GP or Health professional might place in there," said Whittaker.
"It could be children play fighting or it could be something like family violence."
Whittaker said being at home over lockdowns may have been a contributing factor in family harm incidents.
"COVID and being at home more could have played a role in that. But violence doesn't need to have a place in our communities at all and we can prevent violence from happening. If you're feeling stressed or things are too hard, especially at this time of year - please tell someone you trust and seek help.
"Likewise if you feel like you might be at risk, chat to someone you can trust and reach out to someone - there is help out there."
Where to find help and support:
Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
