"So we just reinforce that if you've got a new bike or hoverboard, wear the appropriate safety equipment to keep yourself safe while you're using your new present."
Assistant director of operations Tony Devanney estimated the ambulance service would attend well in excess of 73,000 incidents throughout the country in December and January.
Of that more than 1200 would be on Christmas Day and nearly 2500 on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, he said.
"Our ambulance officers see many accident and emergency incidents that are preventable at this time of year. I encourage everyone to keep safe and to take care of each other."
Mr Hutchinson echoed this and said alcohol was a preventable factor in many of the incidents St John were called out to during the summer.
"A lot of the assaults we go to are generated by alcohol so if people behave responsibly around alcohol and know their limits it's a good thing and will make everyone's holiday season a lot more enjoyable, including ours.
"We just like to remind people to drink sensibly when it comes to alcohol because that certainly increases our workload around the festive period. If people could take a bit of personal responsibility around alcohol that would be fantastic."
St John staff were used to working with all hands on deck over the holiday period and celebrated in their own way with shared food and fun, he said.
"The majority of our guys work on watches so it's like a second family. The watches working Christmas Day bring in food and we have as much fun as we can. Everyone enjoys it and [working] is just something we do. Everyone is used to doing it."
Keeping safe in Hawke's Bay, particularly around the water and with alcohol, were key messages St John wanted to send to the community, he said.
"We just want everyone to have a good festive season and if they don't see us that's a good thing."