We treat a fair amount of fractures, broken bones, and sprains in our office each day at Texas Orthopedics. These injuries can be caused by falls, trips, or a mishap on the sports field. But this time of year, a number of these same injuries are often attributed to accidents involving, of all things, a ladder.
As people start climbing to string lights around their houses, or trim the tree, potential injury from improper use of a ladder is at an all-time high. More than 630,000 ladder-related injuries were reported in 2015 according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Here are some simple safety tips to follow so that you are not laid up with a ladder injury this holiday season:
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Never use a broken or damaged ladder, or one that has bent or uneven rungs.
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Wipe off any mud, grease, oil, or other slippery substance that might be on the ladder. Check your shoes too for slippery soles, and never wear flip-flops when climbing a ladder.
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Make sure the ladder is set up on stable, even ground, or flooring.
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Position ladder away from chandeliers, electrical wires, tree limbs, or any other obstructions.
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Have someone near you, within shouting distance, when on a ladder in case you fall.
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Face the ladder rungs while climbing, not the other way around.
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Do not stand on the top rung, or above any marked levels.
If you do suffer a fall, get up slowly, and then seek help immediately if you suspect something is broken.
