Six Tips to Avoid Injury During the Holidays

Did you know that more household injuries occur around the holidays? From lifting those boxes of decorations in the attic to playing a family game of football for the first time all year, orthopedic and spine injuries are rampant during the holiday season.

Dr. Steven Barnett, premier Hoag Orthopedic Institute surgeon and Chief Medical Officer, shared about the importance of staying safe and free from orthopedic injuries while decorating your home this holiday season.

“This time of year, I tend to see patients with increased strains and sprains secondary to lifting boxes and getting decorations out of the attic,” shared Dr. Barnett. “There is also a significant increase in ladder injuries from decorating and putting up Christmas lights.”

Dr. Barnett also emphasized the importance of stretching and warming up muscles to avoid injury. “We also tend to see more 'weekend warrior' sports type injuries such as knee strains, meniscal tears, Achilles ruptures, etc., from participating in family football games and other sports where people are not necessarily active for the rest of the year and overdo it. It is very important to warmup and stretch before engaging in these type of once-a-year sporting events.”

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), each year there are 14,800 holiday decorating related ER-treated injuries. That’s an average of about 160 injuries per day during the holiday season!

Here are six safety tips to make holiday decorating safer this year:

1. Avoid climbing ladders if you’re over 50 years old. Ladders can be hazardous for the aging and elderly due to an increased risk of injury from falling.
2. Stay off the roof.
3. Wear sensible shoes – preferably lace-up shoes that are tied securely.
4. Do all your prep work on the floor – this limits the amount of time spent on the ladder.
5. Remove any hazards that might inhibit your ability to move freely in your workspace.
6. Set the ladder at the correct angle according to manufacturer specifications and make sure your feet are secure.