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:
- Never use a broken or damaged ladder, or one that has bent or uneven rungs.
- 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.
- Make sure the ladder is set up on stable, even ground, or flooring.
- Position ladder away from chandeliers, electrical wires, tree limbs, or any other obstructions.
- Have someone near you, within shouting distance, when on a ladder in case you fall.
- Face the ladder rungs while climbing, not the other way around.
- 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.
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