staying safe during the holidays: part 1 - ladders

Let’s Not Make the ER
​Part of Your Holiday Tradition

When we’re decorating for the holidays, most of us grab whatever is closest - a dining chair, a bar stool, that wobbly old stepladder, or the uneven stool we’ve been meaning to fix since last Christmas. And if we’re being honest, we’ve all done it. In the moment it feels quick, clever, and harmless… until it isn’t.

Those improvised “ladders” cause more injuries than people realize. A fall from even one metre can lead to sprains, fractures, concussions, and long recoveries - especially for those of us over 40 who now make noises when we stand up that we definitely didn’t make in our twenties.

What’s interesting is that many of us spend our workdays following safety rules to the letter - using the right equipment, thinking ahead, doing things “by the book.” And then the moment we get home… all of those habits quietly slip out the back door. Suddenly we’re climbing on dining chairs, stretching just a bit too far, or rushing to get the lights up before guests arrive.

It’s completely human. And it’s exactly where those “how did that even happen?” injuries tend to show up.

And here’s the part most people don’t realize: you don’t have to fall from anywhere dramatic to get hurt. A lot of holiday ladder injuries happen when people simply miss the bottom step or slip while getting down, not while they’re perched at the top. Every December, emergency rooms across Canada see thousands of decorating-related injuries, and a surprising number come from those small, everyday moments of hanging lights, placing the tree topper, or reaching for that one ornament you’re sure you can get without moving the ladder.

Sp please, remember you are far more important than the lights and the garland. Prepare, work safety safely and follow these basic tips below to keep yourself in once piece this year.

Quick Ladder Safety Tips for the Holidays

• Choose the right ladder. Use a proper step ladder with rubber feet — never chairs, stools, or furniture.
• Wear slip-resistant shoes. Good footwear gives you grip and stability. Avoid socks or slippers; they slide easily off the rungs.
• Work with a buddy. Have someone steady the ladder and pass up decorations so your hands stay free.
• Check the ladder’s weight rating. The sticker on the side tells you how much the ladder can safely support - this includes you, your clothing, winter boots, and anything you're carrying.
• Keep three points of contact. Two feet and one hand (or two hands and one foot) on the ladder at all times. Carry decorations only after you’re secure.
• Stay off the top rung. Your feet should be at least three rungs down to stay balanced and stable.
• Step down slowly and deliberately. Missing the last rung is the most common cause of ladder injuries at home and at work.
• Take a look around first. In safety training, we call this a quick risk assessment. Ask yourself: If I slipped, what could I hit? Check for hazards like railings, sharp edges, windows, cars, or anything that could make a fall worse. Where is the cat, dog or small child that could bump into the bottom of your ladder?
• Make sure your work area is clean. A ladder is stable only when what's beneath it is stable. Clear the clutter, salt the walkway and clear snow from landing areas. Ice and ladders too not mix.

DO NOT OVERREACH - KEEP IT BETWEEN THE RAILS

One more light. One more centimetre…Reaching sideways - or overreaching -  is the #1 cause of at-home ladder falls. When your belt buckle crosses outside the rails, your centre of gravity shifts and you can tip sideways instantly.  Instead  - climb down, move the ladder, and climb back up. It takes 5 seconds and prevents 5 months of misery.

only santa belongs on the roof

Every December, without fail, we see people doing things on their roofs that absolutely belong in a holiday blooper reel. Here’s the truth: only Santa belongs up there. He’s the only one with the proper footwear, the balance, and - let’s be honest - the core strength to handle it.

The rest of you?

​You're out there in running shoes, no safety gear, leaning over gutters in a crosswind trying to clip in that one stubborn string of lights. And every year, there’s always that one person who takes it to a whole other  level.

​Recently I drove past a man who had an old wooden ladder propped on the back of his pickup truck - one rung above the barn roof - where he was actually standing without any fall protection in sight. It was the kind of moment where you involuntarily whisper, “Please don’t move Please don't fall.”

We all love a beautifully lit home, but roofing work during the holidays often turns into unintentional stunt work. And the risks-slippery shingles, icy edges, unstable ladders, high winds - are no joke. A simple slip can lead to broken bones, head injuries, or worse. And all because the lights needed “just one more clip.”

Here’s the good news: you can have a festive home without turning your driveway into a Cirque du Soleil audition:

• Hang lights from the ground using light-hanging poles
• Decorate windows, railings, bushes, and doorframes instead of rooflines
• Use LED projectors for a whole-house glow (magic, zero climbing)
• Hire a professional installer - one with proper fall-protection training
• Keep all outdoor ladders off snow, ice, and truck beds (we see you)

Your home can shine without you risking your spine. Holiday decorating should be fun, creative, and maybe a little bit nostalgic - not something that ends with an ice pack and a story that starts with, “So there I was…”

Wrapping Up: Keep the Joy, Skip the Risks

The holidays make us rush, improvise, and climb on things we definitely shouldn’t - all in the name of making our homes and offices look festive. But the people who care about you would much rather see you safe on the ground than wobbling on a roofline trying to fix that last strand of lights.

A few simple habits like using the right ladder, keeping your hands free, slowing down, and leaving the rooftop work to Santa -  can prevent most of the injuries we see every year. These aren’t big changes, just small choices that protect your back, your balance, and your holiday spirit. Because the holidays aren’t about perfect décor. They’re about being present, being together, and being well enough to enjoy it.

​Wishing you a joyful, bright, and very safe holiday season.