When you respect a ladder, and use it wisely it is nice to use, but take shortcuts and make assumptions and you could be on the wrong end of a naughty ladder accident.  There's never a good time to fall off a ladder but Christmas is definitely the worst; hospitals are stretched over this period and let's be honest, the thought of a hospital turkey dinner is less than appealing, so unless you want to spend Christmas in plaster, lying in a hospital bed and missing out on all the best festive TV, it is wise to take precautions when using your ladders for all manner of festive tasks.

There are several different types of ladder that might be employed for a variety of tasks, the loft ladder being the primary one.  The loft is where most people keep their decorations and it may also be used to store presents that have been bought during the year.  Getting these items out is non-negotiable, as is being safe while doing so.  It may be the case that the loft ladder is not used very often and therefore people assume that it will be fine to step on as soon as it descends.  Of course, the less wear and tear on the ladder there is the longer it should last, but the cold and sometimes damp conditions in attics could compromise the integrity of a wooden loft ladder.  Before ascending it is worth making a visual assessment of the ladder and physically checking that the rungs and handrail are sturdy and not damaged.  If you have a metal loft ladder use gloves when climbing it, as it will be very cold and uncomfortable to grip otherwise.

Once the decorations are down and the lights have been untangled, it may be tempting to have a celebratory drink, and why not?  After all, the annual untangling is a serious chore and one which requires a reward afterwards.  If you are not going to be using a ladder again that same day, go ahead and crack open a bottle.  If, however, you are going to be up and down a ladder again that day layoff the booze until you have finished.  Even a small drink can impair your balance and judgement to the point where you make mistakes and take risks, leading to falls and other accidents.   It's far better to enjoy a nice, well deserved drink than have a naughty one and risk your safety.

A step ladder is often the next ladder in use, employed to hang fairy lights, put up ceiling decorations and window stickers inside the home.  Again, this should be checked before use and replaced if it is not fit for purpose.  Ensure that children are not in the area when you are using the ladder, as small people running around are not paying attention to what they run into, and it could be the very ladder you are on that comes crashing to the floor during a thrilling game of chase.  Nothing should be left around or behind the ladder that could get tangled in your feet when you descend, and you should never climb up to the top rung of a stepladder.  Platform step ladders with a handrail at the top are ideal for decorating, as the wide platform makes it comfortable to use and the handrail makes it safer. 

If you decorate the outside of your house, it is vital that someone helps you with the ladder footing and with passing items up to you.  Set aside a whole day, so that there is no temptation to rush and take regular breaks for a cuppa and a mince pie to keep your energy up.  Working in the cold burns a lot of calories and can impair your concentration so it is vital that you keep hydrated, warm and fed.  If it is raining or icy please abandon all plans to work outside and wait for another day when the conditions are more suitable – some icicle lights on a fascia are not worth a trip to A&E for.  Again, ensure your ladder is fit for purpose and tall enough to reach your highest point comfortably – over-reaching is a common cause of ladder falls.  The ladder should be set up at the right angle, and there are apps for checking this in situ.  The feet should be firmly on the ground and if there is uneven ground, this should be addressed with ladder levelling mats or by extending the legs of ladder, if your model has that option.

If you have a lot of outdoor decorations to put up it may be worth splitting the tasks over two days, to ensure you do not get too tired and cold and that everything is put up correctly – if you rush you make mistakes and then you'll have to get back up that ladder to sort it out.  It is also important to only use daylight hours and not to try working in the dark, as this can also cause disorientation and vision issues leading to an accident.

If you follow these tips and brush up on your ladder climbing skills then putting up the Christmas decorations will be a nice experience.  If you're naughty and go ahead blindly, you may end up experiencing a not very nice Christmas in hospital which is no fun for anyone.  We wish you a merry, and safe, Christmas.