Posted on 12/10/2004 2:55:01 AM PST by prisoner6
Decking the Halls? Beware of Falls
THURSDAY, Dec. 9 (HealthDayNews) -- If you're bent on hanging mistletoe, take heed: U.S. safety experts warn that serious injuries linked to falls rise during the holiday season.
Each year between Nov. 1 and Jan. 31, about 5,800 Americans are treated in U.S. emergency rooms for fall-related injuries that occur while they are hanging Christmas lights and decorations.
That works out to about two to three ER visits per hour during the holiday season, according to statistics released Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
"I think probably we're just not understanding the risks involved and then taking care to prevent injuries," said CDC behavioral scientist Karen Mack.
Eager to hang those boughs of holly, string up Christmas lights, or put that star at the tip of the tree, many Americans are forgetting common-sense safety, Mack added.
"I think the thing to be most careful about is our use of ladders," she said. "First, to make sure that they are secure and level and to use them appropriately."
In fact, CDC statistics show that 43 percent of all seasonal decorating-related falls were from ladders. The remainder of falls occurred from roofs, stairs, porches, and furniture.
While it's tempting to use a nearby chair or coffee table as a substitute for a well-placed ladder, Mack said it's always a risky move. Step stools or small ladders are much more stable, she said.
Serious injuries linked to falls can put a quick end to holiday cheer: According to the CDC, one-third of decorating-linked injuries resulted in bone fractures. Again, falls from ladders accounted for more than half of these fractures.
Young Americans, especially, may be overestimating their ability to balance and stay safe as they beautify their homes.
According to the CDC, 62 percent of fall-related injuries during the holidays occur involved people 20 to 49 years of age. That's more than double the rate of injuries in this age group for the rest of the year (30 percent). Men are slightly more likely to sustain fall-related injuries than women (58 percent vs. 42 percent), the CDC said.
The bottom line, according to Mack, is that too many people "are simply not taking the steps to consider beforehand what the possible problems might be."
Some helpful tips from the CDC:
More information
For detailed information on ladder safety, head to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Let the Darwinism ensue sez prisoner6...
Just amazing that, while growing-up in the 50s, I don't remember any ambulance taking Mom or Dad to the ER. What's with people, today? Stupid is as stupid does...
B-b-but ladders come with WARNINGS and INSTRUCTIONS now due to previous lawsuits - no need to worry about it, it's aaaall been taken care of!
Horrors! Two to three ER visits per hour in a nation of over 300 million! Meanwhile, 148 babies die from abortion each hour. I'm glad the media have their priorities straight.
Hubby rode ladder to pavement the first winter we lived in Wisconsin. Note to hubby: Ice isn't a suitable substrate for ladder placement. Also splained why all the natives were out stringing Christmas lights in September...
Where's the "Don't Drink and Deck" warning?
This got me laughing! I'm outside of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and The Neighbors get their shorts all knotted up becuase I put my lights up in late Septemebr/early October depending on the weather. They don't get turned on until after Thanksgiving but it sure is a lot easier than when there's ice and cold!
prisoner6
We've taken a pass on anything that involves ladders & Christmas lights since the flying ladder incident but I learned another lesson about Christmas lights when I was putting them out last week (thanks to the, so far, exceeding mild winter up here)...new lights drape over the shrubbery a whole lot nicer when the temps are in the 60's than they do when it's 28 degrees out there. This year, I gotz spastic lights that are trying to wiggle back into that double fisted knot they were in when I took them out of the pkg. But, what the hay...my display is unique! I fully expect drive-bys to stop and ask me, ''How'd you do dat?''
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