Each year, emergency rooms across the country see a significant uptick in visits during the holiday season. As we enter the heart of the holidays and prepare to decorate, it is important to remember how to stay safe and accident free.
Whether you are decorating your tree and the inside of your home or tackling the outside with lights and ornaments, keep in mind that safety comes first so that you don’t end up with a visit to the emergency room. Some of the most common risks can include falls, cuts, burns, broken bones and the potential for choking hazards if there are children around. Electrical fire hazards can be especially dangerous and extra precautions should always be taken to ensure all wiring is safe to use.
Dr. Brian Seymour with St. Charles Parish Hospital has the following tips to help you stay injury-free and healthy as you turn your home into a winter wonderland:
Lifting
For many people, the holidays mean bringing boxes or ornaments and decoration out from storage, not to mention the massive trees that we carry into our living rooms. It is important that we employ proper lifting techniques while setting up our holiday tree or placing heavy decorations on the gutter or roof.
When lifting heavy objects, the following tips should be kept in mind:
Keep a wide base of support.
Bend at the hips and knees ONLY, keeping your back straight, chest out and shoulders back.
Slowly lift with your hips and knees without twisting or jerking
Set down your tree or boxes gently, bending at only the knees and hips.
Ladder Safety
When using a ladder to put the finishing touches atop your tree, and especially as you try to hang decorations on higher places outside such as in trees or roof line, it is important to remember the following ladder safety tips:
Inspect the ladder for damage, reading all labels and markings.
Do not use the top rung of the ladder.
Do not place the ladder on boxes, chairs or any items other than the floor.
Cuts
You should always wear gloves when decorating with light bulbs or ornaments that are breakable. Both can cause either minor or deep cuts that could require stitches. It is also advisable to wear closed-toe shoes to avoid stepping on objects.
Fire and Burn Prevention
Though not common, holiday tree fires can cause serious injury, property damage and even death. The following precautions should be taken to avoid a potential tragedy due to an improperly maintained holiday tree:
Choose a fresh tree that isn’t dried out.
Use a tree stand with a wide base to avoid your tree falling over.
Be sure that any lights put on the tree are low energy and low heat while also ensuring that there are no frayed or damaged cords.
Do not overload power strips or electrical circuits.
If you choose and artificial tree, make sure it is marked as being flame resistant.
Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
For patient appointments at St. Charles Parish Hospital or any Ochsner Health System location, call (866) 624-7637 or visit www.ochsner.org. Online appointments can be made through the MyOchsner patient portal or by clicking Online Appointments.
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