The Deadly Truth Behind Christmas Lights

Nothing is more picturesque and helps me get into the Christmas spirit than seeing houses lit up with holiday lights; add a light dusting of snow and a mug of hot chocolate and I am ready to start singing carols.

But lurking behind the twinkle of the lights is a deadly truth that can ruin your holiday season.

I think that Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation provides one of the best cautionary tales of the hazards of putting up holiday lights. Falls and ladder mishaps create a funny movie but in real life, it’s not a laughing matter.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated that over 14,000 decorating related injuries happen each year. The number one cause of these festive related injuries? Falls, with half of them being from chairs or ladders.

Accidents can be prevented by following basic ladder safety protocols:

• Use a ladder and choose the right one for the job.

• Always maintain 3 points of contact with the ladder.

• Wear solid shoes/boots with the proper grip.

• Face the ladder while climbing.

• Extend your ladder 3 feet above the roof line.

• Place the ladder on firm, even ground.

• Use the 4:1 rule, every 4 feet up place the ladder 1 foot out.

To prevent gutter damage, use a Ladder Mount™ which will also give you added stability when climbing the ladder.

Don’t think that a ladder injury can happen to you? Neither did this guy from Alberta, Canada.