Categories: Blog Post

Don’t Let Holiday Decorating Injuries Ruin Your Christmas

Common Christmas Emergencies & How To Avoid Them

Keep holiday decorating injuries, including slips, falls, house fires, and burns, from putting a damper on what should be a festive time of year.

San Antonio Freestanding Emergency Center's Recommendations To Prevent Holiday Decorating Injuries

Use step stools or ladders whenever hanging decorations. Do not climb on furniture or attempt to scale the exterior of your house.
Review the safety information provided with your stool or ladder before using.
Do not use ladders outside during windy or stormy conditions.
Wear clean, slip-resistant shoes.
Make sure the ladder extends far enough that you do not need to use the top rung and that it is positioned on firm, level ground.

If purchasing a live tree, ensure that it is fresh. Needles should be difficult to bend and break off and should not fall off the tree in masses when the tree is tapped. Once the tree is cut down, keep the trunk in a stand filled with water.
Going artificial? Make sure the tree is labeled “flame-resistant.”
Place your tree away from the fireplace, radiator, and other source of heat. Also display it away from high-traffic areas, such as hallways and exits.
Inspect lights (even if they are new) for frayed wires, broken sockets, or loose connections before hanging them on the tree.

- Never leave a lit candle unattended.
- Place candles on stable surfaces, out of reach of children and pets.
- Keep lit candles away from Christmas trees, wrapping paper, and other flammable objects.