Hanging holiday lights and decorations causes thousands of hospitalizations each year

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there are over 500,000 ladder-related injuries each year, with approximately 300 injuries being fatal.

Between the months of November to January, there is a surge in ladder-related injuries primarily due to people hanging outdoor holiday lights and decorations.

Rebecca Rajfer, MD, orthopaedic surgeon at Loma Linda University Health, says ladder use can lead to serious injuries.

"I call ladders the motorcycle of the home," Rajfer says. "People don't realize how dangerous they can be until something goes wrong."

Key takeaways

• Falls from tall ladders can cause a high-impact injury, which can be as serious as a car or motorcycle accident.

• People often fall or slip off ladders due to rushing, reaching too far, or wearing improper footwear.

• Having a second person to help stabilize a ladder can help prevent serious injury.

Why ladders are so dangerous

Holiday decorations are a fun and festive part of the season, but as people climb to higher heights to hang string lights or other decorations, they increase the risk of serious injury.

Ladders offer no protection when an accident happens. There are no seat belts, airbags, or helmets to protect from a fall, and one misstep or momentary loss of balance can quickly result in a dangerous accident.

Many ladder injuries occur when people stretch beyond a safe reach instead of climbing down and repositioning the ladder.

"A lot of people will say they were trying to reach one more thing," Rajfer says. "They don't stop to move the ladder to a better position, and that's when falls can happen."

Stressed about the holidays? Here's how to protect your heart health

Even a short fall can cause serious injury

The higher the ladder, the greater the risk. According to Rajfer, falls from six feet or higher can cause a high-impact injury, which is in the same category as a car or motorcycle accident.

The most common high-impact injury is ankle fractures.

"People instinctively try to land on their feet, which can result in a severe type of ankle injury called a pilon fracture. This is caused by a crushing force through the joint and can result in long-term damage and disability," Rajfer says.

But ankles are not the only concern. If a person falls or slips off a ladder and hits their head, it could result in a traumatic brain injury, and in some serious cases, death.