Holiday decorating is the usual thing in many homes all over the country and the world. Decorating contests in the community have lit up the skies in the nights of December and we have found new ways to join our fellow neighbors in their Christmas celebration.
For a number of other people, setting up simple and elaborate or smaller decorative displays in their homes and compounds, is another tradition. However an unfortunate number of people tend to fall from ladders and rooftops while decorating for the holidays, the statistics have shown that close to 170,000 people are treated annually for ladder accidents and this doesn’t include other different kinds of accidents that are prone to occur while decorating. If you fail to take the necessary precautions before decorating, your Merry Christmas may turn to something else of a less joyous nature.
When decorating outdoors always is sure to:
You should ensure that only wooden and fiberglass ladders are used around electrical lines. Metal ladders tend to conduct electricity and this can be deadly in the case of an accident.
You should never work alone. Someone else should always be available in case of any emergency.
You should ensure your ladder is the correct height. It should always extend at least 3 feet above the roofline of your building.
You should make sure that your ladder isn’t set on a surface that is unstable or muddy.
The weight limit of your ladder should never be exceeded and you should never stand on its bucket shelf.
Equipment shouldn’t be carried while climbing. Someone should hand you the equipment instead.
You should face the ladder when climbing up or down, your body should always be centered between the rails.
Only outdoor lighting should be used.
All directions by manufacturers should be read especially where they concern outdoor lights and other decorations.
The only lights that have been UL tested should be used. Light should been approved as well as extension cords and electrical decorations.
All electrical donations should be examined carefully before installation. Any cracked broken or warped bulbs, cords or wires.
Staples or nails should never be used to hang light strings. Plastic hooks designed for the purpose can be used as well as they are very cheap and safe.
Extension cords shouldn’t be overloaded. Information on the packaging will stipulate how many strings can be run safely together or otherwise plugged in at the same time.
Lights should not be left on overnight or whenever you’re away from home for various obvious reasons.
Accidents tend to happen, regardless of how careful you are. In order to learn about how your family can be safeguarded during the holidays, you can check a number of resources on the Internet such as www.ul.com. A number of other helpful resources and forums also exist which will assist in providing you with the right information that will assist you in remaining safe throughout the holiday season.
