‘Tis the season for holiday safety.
It figures. We got distracted by trying to get all of the regular-hectic-life-stuff done, and the miracle of holiday decorating and celebrating somehow crept up underneath us.
So even as frantic as we feel, we wanted to take a break and share our caution with you to not sacrifice safety this holiday season.
While you are rushing to do that last-minute decorating around your house, hanging ornaments from a grand tree or lights outside from the porch, don’t skimp on safety. Falls are always among the top hazards in home improvement, no matter if you are a DIYer or a professional.
In the United States, more than 12,000 are treated in emergency rooms every year that are related to holiday decorating–from ladders, furniture, and even slipping on decorations. (The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons claims 17,465 fall injuries each holiday season and The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports nearly 12,500 people are treated from decorating falls.)
It’s important to follow a few safety tips no matter how many cookies are waiting to be popped into the oven or how many minutes until your guests are schedule to arrive. (We’ve all been there, right?)
- Set the ladder base on a secure, even surface.
- When accessing a porch or roof, extend the ladder side rails three feet above the landing, which is typically at least two rungs.
- Don’t over-reach while you are working to save a few minutes. Take the time to reposition the ladder. And always keep your belt buckle between the ladder rails.
- The top two steps of a stepladder aren’t designed for you to stand. You need a handrail in reach to make sure you stay balanced and safe.
- Use a ladder that’s the right size for the job, and never put a ladder on a box or furniture to get a little extra height.
- If you want to know more about ladder safety, here’s the OSHA regulations.