According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), injuries requiring emergency medical care related to holiday decorations have increased every year for the past four years. Since 2009, a minimum of 12,000 Americans have required this specific kind of emergency care.

Some of these injuries are caused by falls from ladders, roofs and other high places that people hang holiday decorations from. Other injuries occur as the result of dangerous products, electrocution, fires and back strain from lifting heavy trees, equipment and ornamentation. Still others result from cuts on broken ornaments, slips on decorated surfaces and impact injuries from falling decorations.

If this season progresses like the 2012 holiday season, emergency departments across the nation can expect 15,000 patients or more who will require treatment due to decoration and decorating-related injuries. As a result, it is critical that you protect yourself, your loved ones and any guests who may visit your property from these kinds of injuries.

First, observe proper safety protocols when hanging decorations. Second, ensure that all electric decorations are in working order and do not pose fire hazards. Third, make sure children are properly supervised around Christmas decorations and that all ornamentation is secured if it poses a risk to kids. Finally, make sure that any slip and trip hazards that may affect your guests are tended to adequately.

Nothing dampens the festive mood of the holidays quite like a trip to the emergency room. Please take time to ensure that you, your loved ones and guests are spared this particular adventure this holiday season.

Source: Northland’s News Center, “Be Careful: CPSC Estimates 15,000 Holiday Decorating Injuries During November and December,” Dec. 9, 2013