For many families, holiday decorating is a tradition — stringing lights, hanging wreaths, trimming trees, and making homes festive for the season. But what often gets overlooked is that decorating injuries don’t just happen before the holidays. They continue well into late December and January, when decorations are being adjusted, taken down, or stored.
Every winter, emergency rooms see a spike in injuries tied to holiday decorating — and ladders are often at the center of them. Below, our friends at KBD Attorneys explain how holiday decorating can lead to injuries.
Why Ladder Injuries Are So Common During the Holidays
Ladders are involved in thousands of serious injuries each year, and the holiday season creates the perfect storm:
- Cold, slippery ground
- Uneven or icy surfaces
- Bulky clothing that restricts movement
- Rushed timelines between work, travel, and family events
Many people use ladders only once or twice a year, which increases the risk of improper setup and misuse.
The Second Wave of Decorating Injuries: Taking Everything Down
While pre-Christmas decorating gets attention, a lesser-known danger period occurs after the holidays.
Injuries often happen when people:
- Take down lights in freezing temperatures
- Climb ladders after dark
- Rush before trash pickup or weather changes
- Carry boxes while descending ladders
- Store decorations in garages, basements, or attics
Fatigue, distraction, and post-holiday stress can make these tasks even more dangerous.
Common Holiday Decorating Injuries
Holiday-related ladder accidents frequently result in:
- Broken wrists, arms, and ankles
- Head injuries and concussions
- Spinal injuries
- Shoulder tears and dislocations
- Traumatic falls onto hard surfaces
An experienced personal injury lawyer knows that falls from even moderate heights can cause life-altering injuries, particularly for older adults.
Outdoor Decorating Comes With Added Risks
Exterior decorating increases hazards significantly:
- Ladders placed on snow, ice, or frozen soil
- Wind gusts affecting balance
- Roof edges hidden by snow
- Power lines near rooflines
- Electrical hazards from damaged cords
Falls from roofs or near roof edges often result in the most severe injuries.
When Decorating Injuries Raise Legal Questions
Many people assume falls during decorating are simply “accidents,” but that’s not always the case.
In some situations, responsibility may involve:
- Defective ladders or faulty locking mechanisms
- Poorly designed or unsafe ladder instructions
- Inadequate warnings about proper use
- Unsafe rental equipment
- Negligent property maintenance in multi-unit residences
Understanding the cause of a fall matters, especially when injuries are serious.
Safety Tips for Decorating — and Undecorating — Safely
To reduce risk during both setup and takedown:
- Avoid decorating during icy or windy conditions
- Ensure ladders are on stable, level ground
- Never overreach from a ladder
- Wear shoes with good traction
- Have another person stabilize the ladder
- Consider professional help for roof-level decorations
Most importantly, don’t rush. Decorations can wait — injuries cannot.
The Holidays Shouldn’t End in the Emergency Room
Holiday traditions are meant to create memories, not medical bills. Yet every year, families are sidelined by preventable decorating injuries that occur in moments of haste or overconfidence.
As the season winds down, taking an extra moment to assess conditions, fatigue, and equipment can make the difference between a safe holiday and a painful start to the new year.