It may surprise you to find out that the Consumer Product Safety Division estimates that about 250 people per day – or 15,000 people each year – end up at the emergency room with an injury over the holiday season.

Keeping your holiday season happy and safe starts with knowing the common risks you can easily avoid with a little advance planning.

When it’s time to break out the holiday decorations, follow these simple safety tips so that everyone stays safe while decorating your home or office.

Ladders: How to Avoid Falls

Hanging decorations inside or outside often means someone must climb a ladder. A fall from a ladder is the most common accident during the holiday decorating season. You can take measures to ensure it doesn’t happen to you or your loved one.

First, make sure the ladder you use was manufactured to support you and the weight of the items you plan to install. Ladders should be able to support at least four times the maximum load. Check the specifications whenever you buy or use a ladder or stepladder.

If you are using a ladder that is not self-supported (one that leans against a wall), position it at a safe angle for climbing. Ensure that fold-out ladders have a locking device so that there is no danger of a collapse. The rungs on the ladder should be skid-resistant for safety.

Place the ladder on solid ground. Only one person should be on the ladder at any time, and keep the area below the ladder free from clutter. Wear shoes with soles that grip for climbing. If you have any tendency to feel dizzy or light-headed, get someone else to hang your decorations.

Candles Are Beautiful, But …

Candlelight is beautiful and transforms the ambiance of a room. Unfortunately, candles are also extremely dangerous and a common cause of holiday season fires.

Any open flame poses a risk of fire. Thankfully, you can now buy battery-operated flameless candles. Doing so is a wise choice.

If you decide to have traditional candles on the table or other areas of your home, never leave them unattended, and never place them near any flammable material.

Electricity and Safe Holiday Decorating

The issue of electricity safety comes into play with 86 percent of people decorating their homes for the holidays – with two-thirds installing lights inside and one-half installing lights outside.

The installation of the lights often requires extension cords. Safe use of extension cords can protect you and your family from the danger posed by fires and falls.

Any extension cord you use should have a label that shows that it has been tested by an independent testing lab (UL). Buy your extension cord only from a trusted retailer to reduce the potential of purchasing something that looks safe, but isn’t.

Use lights only as the manufacturer intended – indoor lights for indoors, outdoor lights for outdoors. If you can find LED lights, they are worth the price. They cost more, but use less electricity and are far cooler, reducing fire risks.

Make sure extension cords are tucked away and don’t pose a risk to anyone walking in the area. A trip and fall is an accident you can easily avoid.

Your Tree: Real or Artificial?

Some people want a real tree, while others choose an artificial tree. Any artificial tree you buy should have the label indicating it has been tested by an independent testing lab (UL).

A fresh tree may be safe in your home if you follow the rules. First, buy a tree that is really is fresh. To determine if the tree is the right one, try to pull off a few needles. If they come out easily, the tree is too old and may pose a serious fire risk. Bend a few needles. If they break it means the tree is dry. Bounce the tree on the ground and watch to see if needles fall. If they do, the tree is not fresh. Once purchased, make sure your tree is watered every day.

Holiday Injuries: The Stats Tell the Story

Statistics about holiday decoration accident cases are a warning to us all to use caution this holiday season.

Source: CSPC

Keep your family safe by following the basic rules for holiday decorating safety. Check all of your lights for broken bulbs, and check extension cords carefully before you use them. It is worth the investment to buy a new set of lights or new extension cords rather than take a risk with an older or damaged item.

Have a great holiday season and keep your family safe!

Sources:

• Consumer Product Safety Commission – “Deck the Halls” Safely: CPSC Estimates More Than 15,000 Holiday Decorating Injuries During November and December
• OSHA Construction eTool – Ladder Safety
• American Ladder Institute – Basic Ladder Safety
• Consumer Product Safety Commission – Holiday Decoration Safety Tips