Deck the hall safely this Christmas!
Christmas is a time for fun, to enjoy spending time with family and friends, not spending time waiting in A&E. An NHS survey revealed that 2.6 million people have fallen off a stool or ladder whilst hanging up Christmas decorations.
The survey highlighted the risk and dangers of putting up Christmas lights or balancing a ladder against a wall or tree.
After reading these shocking stats, we’ve put together our top tips for staying safe while working at heights this festive season.
Make a Prep List and Check it Twice
When working at heights, it is important to make sure you know the safety procedures when using a ladder both in and outdoors. Prepping and assessing the area is a great place to start and making sure the ladder is in a good condition, free from any damage that could pose a risk.
Is it going to be a white Christmas?
Putting up a ladder in snow or icy conditions is not advisable. Make sure you’re checking the weather forecast before you head up a ladder.
Santa has help from his elves
Where possible, have a friend or family member around to keep an eye on any potential hazards or risks and to assist with putting up decorations.
What ladder should I be using?
There are many types of standard ladders on the market but when putting up decorations in those hard-to-reach places, it is important to have a ladder build for durability and stability.
Our Henchman Tripod Ladders are built with a platform to allow you to work handsfree to focus on hanging decorations. With independently adjustable legs, our Tripod Ladders can be used outside on uneven ground. As with all Henchman ladders, stability and uncompromised safety are top priorities.
Tri-rrific features of our Tripod Ladders
One of the standout features of the Henchman Tripod Ladders are the fully adjustable legs, allowing users to easily adjust the legs to accommodate varying slopes and steps, with smaller adjustments intervals, users can always maintain the perfect level.
Unlike traditional ladders with thin, curved feet that sink into the soft ground making them unlevel and unstable, our Tripod ladder is designed with extra-wide, clawed feet that have a larger surface area that distributes weight evenly, preventing sinking and minimising slippage in wintery conditions.
No problem reaching the top of the tree
Henchman Tripod Ladders come in a range of sizes from 5ft to 16ft, so no task will be out of reach! The taller ladders are perfect for outside jobs such as reaching the second floor to hang ice-type lights and the smaller ones are ideal for inside jobs like putting the star of top of the tree!
Using the ladder safely
Safety precautions when using a ladder should always be in the front of your mind. When stepping onto a ladder, it’s crucial to lean into it for stability and avoid leaning back and ensure that the ladder’s height is appropriate for the task to prevent overreaching or crouching.
Here are our safety tips when climbing a ladder this Christmas:
- Lean into the ladder when stepping up.
- Always maintain three points of contact with the ladder.
- Mount and dismount the ladder facing the rungs.
- Do no place the ladder on movable objects such as pallets, tables or vehicles.
- Adhere to weight restrictions specified on the ladder.
- Extending or moving ladders should only be done when the ladder is not in use.
- When using indoors or on hard surfaces, use the rubber feet to prevent slipping.
- Make sure your ladder is level before stepping up.
To help you stay safe when working at height, check out our full ladder safety guide. Explore our full range of Tripod Ladders here and if you’re looking for some Christmas inspiration, head over to our Pinterest.
