We’ve had Home Alone, Christmas Vacation and Elf on repeat this week, and while we laugh, they all have a common theme – they make fun of all the disasters that come with the holidays. From leaving your child behind on a trip to Europe (shudders), to burning down Christmas trees, it’s funny to relish in other’s mishaps – until it happens to you. Last year alone, over 12,000 people visited ERs – just for the holiday hurts like falling off ladders for hanging up Christmas decorations, electrical shocks, and even nibbling on toxic mistletoe berries.
But, alas, accidents happen. Thankfully in NYC we’ve branched out and don’t have to sit in ERs next to gunshot wounds, there are “urgent cares” where you can slip in to get a quick stitch, cool a burn, or get a quick x-ray of that leg after you fell off the balcony (I mean – it happens!). There are a few of these popping up everywhere, even here in Queens, and this is cutting down wait time dramatically.
Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Cares are our go-to due to their smart innovations. Literally you can see on their website which location is closest, and which has shortest wait time. If you’ve ever spent time in an ER in NYC, you know how much of a blessing this is (one we sat for so many hours, we gave up and drove out to an ER in Long Island – true story!). Plus, let’s be honest – this looks more inviting, clean and sanitary that that sketchy NYC ER, right? I won’t mention names, but this is a prime example why we’re big fans of these urgent care facilities – not to mention they treat you like a human, not a number just sitting here in a cold, stuffy waiting room.
Now, I can check the site and hop in a quick Uber to the closest Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care to make sure Maximo’s fever is under control, or sigh, have that candy removed from his ear (again, true story). Currently there are five locations in Queens, six in Manhattan, fifteen in Long Island and three in Staten Island.
And just to be on the nice list this year, here are a few “tips” on how to avoid a Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care trip:
- Remember that poinsettias and Mistletoe are toxic – even though they’re pretty, if ingested it can cause stomach aches or worse (even for pets!)
- Did you know some artificial trees might not be “fire-resistant?” Make sure to grab one that is, and still never leave it or a real tree on while you’re not home.
- Just yesterday in NYC’s first snowfall I slipped three times walking home – many urgent care visits are due to falls. Watch the ground you’re walking on, especially when rushing to school or getting lost in the holiday crowd shuffle.
- Toys resulted in 185,000 ED visits in 2015. That’s insane. Make sure small pieces don’t get dislodged or could end up in tiny mouths, that batteries are used properly, etc.
- Candles. Seriously we’ve probably all left the house with one burning. Tisk tisk. Or those electric heaters are everywhere right now (even our doormen have one on their desk), so just be cautious of them, even if they’re not your own.
- And my favorite – if you’re going for a long road trip (or to Colorado for the holidays like us!) make sure you have supplies in the car if anything happens. The last thing you want if you hit ice and wreck with no cell service is no blankets or food! A couple tea candles in a coffee can can heat the inside of a car enough to keep you alive (it’s also good to store these candles in the can at home just in case the electric or heat ever goes out – take it from a former girl on the farm).
This is a sponsored post by Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Cares, but as always, we only promote the places we truly believe in. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting Football Food and Motherhood.
