Decorating your home for the holidays is a tradition many families look forward to each year. From hanging outdoor lights to setting up a Christmas tree, holiday decorations can make your home feel festive and welcoming. However, decorating can also create safety risks, including falls, electrical injuries, fires, and trip-and-fall accidents.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has historically reported thousands of holiday decorating-related injuries during the holiday season. Falls from ladders and roofs, in particular, can result in serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment.
At Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin, our attorneys understand how quickly an everyday activity can lead to an unexpected injury. Fortunately, taking a few precautions can help you enjoy your holiday decorations while reducing the risk of an accident.
Holiday decorating should be an enjoyable experience, but it is important not to overlook the potential hazards. Before you start hanging lights or bringing decorations out of storage, keep the following safety tips in mind.
Hanging lights along rooflines, placing wreaths above doorways, and decorating tall trees often require a ladder. Falls from ladders can cause serious injuries, including broken bones, head injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
To reduce the risk of a fall:
Never use a chair, table, or other unstable surface as a substitute for a ladder. If decorations require climbing onto a steep or slippery roof, consider hiring a qualified professional rather than risking a serious fall.
Holiday lights can create a beautiful display, but damaged wiring and overloaded electrical circuits can increase the risk of electrical shock or fire.
Before installing lights, inspect each strand for frayed wires, cracked sockets, loose connections, or broken bulbs. Discard damaged products rather than attempting to use them.
You should also:
Avoid running electrical cords through doorways, under rugs, or across walkways where they could become damaged or create tripping hazards.
A Christmas tree can tip over if it is not properly secured, especially when young children or pets are nearby. A fallen tree may cause injuries, break ornaments, or damage electrical decorations.
Use a sturdy tree stand that is appropriately sized for your tree, and position the tree away from high-traffic areas, heating equipment, and fireplaces. If needed, use a suitable stabilizing method to prevent tipping.
For homes with young children or pets, consider placing fragile ornaments higher on the tree and keeping small decorations out of reach.
If you choose a real tree, select one with fresh, green needles that do not fall off easily. Water it regularly according to the tree’s needs, and keep it away from heat sources. A dry Christmas tree can ignite and burn rapidly.
Holiday decorations should not create obstacles for family members or guests. Extension cords, decorative figurines, gift boxes, and seasonal rugs can become trip hazards when placed in walkways or near stairs.
To help prevent slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall accidents:
Pay special attention to entrances where guests may be carrying gifts, watching children, or stepping inside from wet or icy conditions.
Candles can create a warm holiday atmosphere, but an unattended flame can ignite nearby decorations, curtains, furniture, or other combustible materials.
Whenever possible, use battery-operated candles instead of open flames. If you burn traditional candles, place them in stable holders away from flammable materials, children, and pets. Extinguish them before leaving the room or going to sleep.
Keep paper decorations, garlands, and other combustible materials away from fireplaces, space heaters, and other heat sources. Never leave a fireplace or portable heater unattended while it is operating, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe use.
Not every holiday decoration is suitable for every environment. Outdoor decorations need to withstand the conditions for which they are designed, while indoor decorations may not be safe when exposed to moisture or extreme temperatures.
Check product labels and instructions before installation. Secure outdoor decorations against wind, keep them away from power lines, and avoid placing inflatable decorations or other items where they obstruct visibility for drivers or pedestrians.
Do not use damaged decorations, modify electrical products beyond the manufacturer’s instructions, or connect incompatible products simply to complete a display.
Rushing to finish holiday decorating can lead to preventable mistakes. Fatigue, distractions, and trying to carry too many items at once can increase the risk of falls and other injuries.
Break larger projects into manageable tasks, take breaks when needed, and ask someone to help with heavy or awkward decorations. Children can participate in age-appropriate activities, but adults should handle ladders, electrical connections, and other potentially dangerous tasks.
If a decorating project requires equipment or skills you do not have, hiring a qualified professional may be the safest option.
“The holidays are a time for families to enjoy their homes and spend time together, but decorating can create risks that people may not think about. A fall from a ladder or an electrical hazard can turn an otherwise happy occasion into a serious situation. Taking the time to use equipment properly, secure decorations, and keep walkways clear can help prevent injuries and keep the focus on enjoying the season.”
— Caleb Fleschner, Attorney at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin
Even when people take reasonable precautions, accidents can still happen. A fall from a ladder, an electrical injury, or a trip over a decoration can result in injuries that require medical attention and time away from work.
If you are injured, prioritize your health and seek appropriate medical care. If possible, document the circumstances of the accident, take photographs of any relevant hazards, and preserve information about the equipment or property involved.
Whether someone else may be legally responsible depends on the specific circumstances. For example, an injury involving a hazardous property condition or defective product may raise different legal questions from an accident that occurs while decorating your own home.
Not every holiday decorating injury gives rise to a personal injury claim. However, if another person’s negligence or a dangerous condition for which someone may be legally responsible contributed to your injuries, it may be worth speaking with an attorney about your options.
Holiday decorations should add joy to the season, not create unnecessary risks. By using ladders properly, inspecting electrical products, securing decorations, and keeping walkways clear, you can help make your home safer for family members and guests.
If you or someone you love has suffered an injury because of another party’s negligence, the personal injury attorneys at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin can help you understand your legal options.
Contact our firm for a free consultation to discuss your situation.
Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin
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The financial burden that often comes with a serious injury can be too much for many people to bear. Unexpected medical debt, damaged personal property, and the sudden loss of income can impact the budgets of most families. The good news is that a successful injury claim could help reduce that financial strain after a serious accident. Get in touch with a Terre Haute personal injury lawyer with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin to learn more.
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