Diagnosing the Home Alone burglars’ injuries: A professional weighs in

December 06, 2013 at 12:04 PM
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The cinematic blockbuster "Home Alone" debuted 23 years ago and has since found itself in holiday lineups next to "It's a Wonderful Life." The fictitious burglars of "Home Alone," however, would probably argue life wasn't so wonderful as they endured the physical, albeit comical, abuse of an 8-year-old protecting his family's possessions. So, what might it actually be like to get hit in the face with a paint can, or having your scalp burned by a blowtorch, or falling down a flight of iced-over stairs? A doctor from Weill Cornell Medical College weighs in.