The Most Dangerous Time Of The Year
While one of the popular songs heard on the radio now is about this being the hap-happiest time of the year, for millions of people, it is the most dangerous. You would not suspect that such a joyous time of year could also be the time when more accidents occur, some of them quite serious.
Hanging Lights, Seeing Stars
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that putting up holiday decorations is the top cause of injuries during this time of year. Most of the injuries are falls, which in many cases lead to hospitalization, and in a few instances have caused death. Hanging lights and decorations in and around your home can be hazardous for your health if you do not take proper precautions.
You can imagine falling from a roof while trying to install Santa’s sleigh and reindeer heading into the sky. Not all injurious falls are from such a high point. In fact, falling just a few feet off the ground can lead to a broken bone, concussion or back injury.
Safety First
Kids love to help decorate for the holidays. Unless they are old enough, it is best to keep them off ladders and from helping in any way that could lead to a fall. They can still be a big help on the ground by handing you tools or decorations or even holding the ladder for you.
And speaking of ladders, be sure to check it and make sure it is safe before you use it. Make sure all the rungs are sturdy and dry. Know the weight limit for your ladder and see that it is on solid, even ground. Have someone hold it steady for you. When placing your ladder against a wall, use the 4- to – 1 rule. The base of the ladder should be one foot away from the wall for every four feet of height you need to climb.
No one wants to be alone during the holidays and for safety’s sake, you should not be alone when you are decorating. Make decorating a fun project for family and friends, especially if elderly people are decorating. There is safety in numbers. If anyone should fall or get hurt, there will be someone there to help.
Leave the drinking until the decorating is finished. A good number of decorating injuries involve over-indulgence of alcohol. A toast to a completed decorating job is more satisfying than a trip to the ER.
This holiday season, be safe. Dr. Kerisimasi Reynolds and his team wish you all the best and remind you that we provide minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery of the knee, shoulder, hip and elbow. Contact us for orthopedic healing.
