Stay Safe This Holiday Season: Prevent Ladder and Light Injuries

The holiday season is a time for joy, lights, and festive decorations. But every year, emergency rooms see an increase in injuries related to holiday decorating, especially those involving ladders and holiday lights. While decorating can be fun, it’s important to recognize the risks and know when an injury requires emergency care.

Most Common Holiday Decorating Injuries

Ladder-related accidents are among the most frequent causes of holiday decorating injuries. Falling from a ladder, even from a short height, can result in serious injuries such as broken bones, sprains, concussions, or even spinal injuries. In addition, handling holiday lights, particularly electrical lights, can lead to shocks, burns, or fires if proper precautions aren’t taken.

Other common holiday decorating hazards include:

Cuts or lacerations from sharp ornaments or tools
Back and muscle strains from lifting heavy decorations or trees
Burns or electrocution from faulty electrical cords or overloaded outlets
Trips and falls over boxes, extension cords, or other clutter

Even seemingly minor accidents, like a small cut or sprain, can worsen if left untreated. And in some cases, injuries can become life-threatening, falls that cause head trauma or electrical shocks.

When Holiday Decorating Injuries Require Emergency Medical Care

It can be difficult to know whether a decorating injury warrants a trip to the ER. The Emergency Center recommends seeking immediate care if you experience any of the following after a holiday decorating accident:

Severe pain or inability to move a limb (possible fracture or dislocation)
Head trauma or loss of consciousness
Deep cuts that won’t stop bleeding or involve nerves or tendons
Signs of electrical shock such as tingling, numbness, burns, or irregular heartbeat
Persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness after a fall or accident

Even minor injuries should be monitored closely. Sprains, strains, or small lacerations can become infected or worsen without proper treatment.

Why The Emergency Center Is the Best Choice for Holiday Injuries

At The Emergency Center, we treat all types of holiday decorating injuries, from minor cuts to serious falls and electrical accidents. Our board-certified physicians are trained to handle emergencies quickly and safely, providing the care you need to recover. With no long waits like traditional hospitals, we ensure prompt evaluation, diagnostic imaging
, and treatment so you can get back to enjoying the holidays.

How to Avoid Accidents While Putting Up Holiday Decorations

While accidents can happen to anyone, taking precautions significantly reduces your risk of injury. Some simple holiday decorating safety tips include:

Always have someone hold the ladder or stabilizer when working at height.
Avoid overreaching; move the ladder instead.
Use LED lights instead of traditional bulbs to reduce heat and fire risk.
Inspect cords and plugs for damage before use.
Keep decorations and cords out of walkways to prevent trips and falls.

By combining these safety measures with awareness of when to seek medical attention, you can enjoy a festive season without an unplanned trip to the ER.

Holiday decorating should be a time of joy, not a source of injury. If an accident does happen, The Emergency Center is here to provide fast, expert care for all types of holiday-related emergencies. From falls and sprains to electrical injuries, our team ensures you receive the attention you need, when you need it most, even on holidays!

Stay safe, celebrate responsibly, and let your holidays shine without incident.