The song says this is the 'most wonderful time of the year. But Dr. Efraim Brenman, who is a surgeon at TSAOG Orthopaedics in San Antonio, sees it another way, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
"In fact, this is the most dangerous time of the year," he said. "The Consumer Product Safety Commission says they get thousands of ER visits from people specifically putting up holiday lights."
The reason...he says...people who never climb up on ladders decide to climb up on ladders to put up those sparkling light displays, and frequently, they overdo it.
"What happens is, someone tries to get that last night up, and put up that last great piece of lighting," he says. "And, of course, they are at risk to fall without taking the proper precautions."
He talks about the best rule to follow if you plan to climb up on the roof or on the side of the house to put up Christmas lights.
"Use the four one rule, that's the main thing. For every four feet that you are going up, move the ladder one more foot away from the house."
He says putting up indoor Christmas trees can be just as problematic. He recommends using a step ladder, even if you have to borrow one. Don't use a chair or a desk or a couch to stand on to put up Christmas lights, and remember to brace yourself. If you start to fall, the boughs of the Christmas tree won't be enough to hold you up, you'll just bring the tree crashing down on you.
He says try to make it so your shoulders are level with the top of the tree, so you don't have to strain to reach the light on the star right on the top of the tree.
And make sure you have an adult holding the base of the ladder. He says one of the most common things he hears from patients in his ER is that they asked their six year old son to steady the ladder
.He says there are also plenty of services which will come and put up that Clark Griswold level display that will win you your HOA's Christmas Decorating Trophy for 2018.
And if you choose not to follow these recommendations, Dr. Brenman will be waiting in his ER between now and the end of the holidays.
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