Safe holiday decorating
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With Remembrance Day behind us, a lot of people are getting ready to haul out the Christmas decorations. But there are a few things to keep in mind before you do.
Last year, Ontario’s hospitals treated just as many serious injuries from roof and ladder falls as they did from car accidents. We have some tips to keep you out of the emergency room when you string your lights.
Some people prefer to wait until December to decorate, but the weather can actually make it tougher. The cold numbs you, making it harder to grip, and the ice and snow are major slip risks.
Few holiday decorators actually live the National Lampoon nightmare that Chevy Chase did.
But a surprising number end up in the E.R.
The trauma centre at Hamilton General Hospital has treated six serious cases so far this year.
Trauma team leader Melanie Hollidge: “Head injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken ribs, punctured lungs.”
Falls are most common when ladders are used improperly
Hollidge: “We see things like either they’re up on the ladder and the ladder falls backwards or shifts.”
Luckily, the pros at Holiday Lights have some industry tips.
A spotter is essential. They’ll help stabilize the base of your ladder.
Holiday Lights manager Crystal-Sue Brousseau: “It’s always better to have the ladder against brick if you can instead of on an eavestrough because the eavestroughs are a bit slippery.”
An A-frame adds extra stability.
No matter what you’re using, you don’t want to go more than three rungs from the top so you can always keep you hand on to have three points of contact.
While you’re putting up lights, be careful not to reach too far. Instead, climb down and move it from the base. Only carry one string of lights at a time and hook your arm around the ladder to support yourself if you have to use two hands.
You should also be mindful of the lights you’re using. Check for broken bulbs and exposed wires. Those could give you an electric shock when you plug them in.
If you’re using incandescent bulbs, make sure you don’t overload your breaker, because that could start a fire.
Brousseau: “We do have safeties in place for that if your house is wired correctly. But some of the old houses it doesn’t always work necessarily. And I wouldn’t want anyone to have to worry about that at Christmas.”
Climbing on the roof to decorate or leaning your ladder against a tree is especially risky. You’re better off to stay in your comfort zone.
