Don't Fall for Holiday Decorating Injuries This Year

All I want for Christmas is....an extension ladder. Yes, that's right, I'm Jonesing for a good extension ladder so I no longer have to pay someone to clean out my gutters or to change the lightbulbs in our outdoor lights, simply because we do not own a ladder that reaches all the way up to the roof. Also, with a good extension ladder I can finally put up outside lights to give my house a festive look this holiday season.

Why does an extension ladder mean so much to me? Because I'm the only person in our family not afraid of heights. So if something needs to be done on the roof or up high inside, I'm your go-to gal.

I have no intention, however, of becoming a ladder statistic. Turns out lots of people hurt themselves each holiday season because they don't use ladders the right way. According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, more than 17,000 people each year end up in the emergency room because of holiday decorating-related falls. Four in 10 fell off a ladder and most of them were men.

So what are some of the safe ways to use a ladder for decorating? Here are 4 tips from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons to keep in mind:

1. Set up the ladder on a firm, level surface. Watch for soft, muddy spots or uneven flooring, and never place a ladder on ground that is uneven.
2. Remember the 1-to-4 rule. You may have to hark back to long-ago geometry class for this visual, but the bottom of the ladder should be one foot away from a wall or the side of the house for every four feet that the ladder rises.
3. Don't rock the ladder. When you are getting those decorations out of the garage or a closet, be careful about pushing or pulling anything from shelves while standing on a ladder. You could lose your balance and fall off.
4. Choose the right ladder for the job. When working at low and medium heights, choose step stools or utility ladders. Extension ladders are ideal for use outdoors to reach high places, as when hanging holiday lights on a rooftop.

Hopefully these tips will help you get your house decorated for the holidays while helping you to avoid any unintentional falls.

Are you your home's go-to person for ladder-related tasks?

Other Stories on Holiday-Related Safety:

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5 Safety Tips When Cooking Chicken

Pet Safety at Thanksgiving