Falls Can Derail Your Holiday Celebrations

For millions of homes, the holiday season would not be complete without decorations, twinkling lights, Christmas trees and candles.  Unfortunately these festive signs of the holiday season also can lead to injuries, and the American College of Emergency Physicians urges the public to keep safety in mind. 

"The holiday season is a hectic time for all of us, filled with activities and errands, and many people pay less attention to safety and end up in the emergency department," said Dr. Brian Keaton, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).  "The nation's emergency physicians urge people to take a little extra time and care as they go about enjoying the holidays and remember never to drink and drive." 

According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, nearly 25,000 people each year get injured while hanging Christmas lights.  People are treated in the nation's emergency rooms each year due to falls, cuts, electrical shocks and burns from faulty holiday decorations or accidents that occur while putting decorations in place, according to government statistics.  The holiday season also means parties where alcohol is served.

The most common cause of ladder accidents involves not selecting the right ladder for the job. When working indoors, a step stool or stepladder, platform or multi-purpose ladder is usually recommended. For outdoors, a taller step, multi-purpose or extension ladder is often more appropriate.

Always check the duty rating of the ladder you will be using and verify the maximum load. The "duty rating" is the maximum load capacity of the ladder. Do not assume that a longer ladder has a higher duty rating. There is no relationship between length and duty rating. Be sure to select a ladder designed to hold the necessary load, including the worker and equipment.

Make sure the ladder is long enough for the job. Climb only as high as the 2nd tread from the top on a step ladder and the 3rd rung from the top on a straight ladder. When working on a roof, the ladder should extend 3’ beyond the support point. When using an extension ladder, place the ladder top so that both rails are fully supported. The support area should be at least 12" wide on both sides of the ladder.

Hold onto the ladder carefully, ensuring that you don't reach out too far to either side. Don't try to move a ladder while you're on it. If the ladder is not positioned properly, climb down and reposition the ladder closer to your work.

When considering your needs for insurance products for your home or business consider contacting Bennett Insurance Group at 623-979-4140

Brought to you by:
Jim Bennett
Bennett Insurance Group
623-979-4140
http://jimbennettinsurance.com
jim@jimbennettinsurance.com