Fall Prevention Tips: Holiday Decorating Edition
Many common holiday activities can cause injuries that can make any festive season anything but jolly. For example, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 60,000 visits to doctors’ offices, emergency rooms, and clinics in 2019 for injuries related to holiday decorating and decorations. This includes everything from falls while hanging lights and other decorations to hand and other extremity injuries due to artificial trees and stands, lights, and other adornments.
Follow these tips to help keep your holidays merry and injury-free!
- Do not drink and decorate. Instead, opt for a celebratory drink after the decorations are up!
- Select the right ladder for the job! Choose step stools or utility ladders when working at low and medium heights and extension ladders to hang items outdoors or in high places. Remember that the weight the ladder is supporting should never exceed its maximum load capacity!
- Inspect ladders for loose screws, hinges, or rungs and clean off any mud or liquids on the ladder before use.
- Set up the ladder on a firm, level surface. Remember the 1-to-4 rule: the bottom of the ladder should be 1 foot away from the wall for every 4 feet that the ladder rises.
- Move with caution when on the ladder and position it close to the work area so you do not lose your balance and fall.
- Wear proper footwear with securely tied shoelaces.
- Stand on a step stool instead of furniture when you need just a few more inches to hang a wreath or picture.
- Be mindful of any rearranged furniture and new decorations. Serious falls can happen when people trip over furniture temporarily placed in what used to be an open space.
- Ask for help when moving heavy or awkward items.
- Minimize clutter and keep pathways clear of decorations, gift boxes, and other items that can trip you up.
Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons