Ladder accidents always increase around Christmas as homeowners dust off their ladders to hang decorations and lights both inside and out.  For many people it is one of the only times in a year that they will use this equipment and it is this inexperience that often causes the fall.  Erik Gaines, a father in Puyallup, Washington, knows all too well how devastating a fall can be after he broke several bones in his ankle, leg and shoulder trying to hang lights on the outside of his home, in early December.  His family called the emergency services and a fire crew arrived with their paramedic, to find Gaines lying in front of the house with an obviously broken leg.  They transported him to hospital, where he underwent surgery to pin the bones in his leg back together.  They were touched by the words of one of his children, who told firefighters that they didn’t want any lights this year because their Dad was hurt putting them up.

Firefighters are brave and courageous people and they are always out to help people, so four men from the Engine 66 Company returned to the Gaines’ home to hang their decorations for them, inspired by their desire to bring some Christmas cheer back to the children.  They spent over an hour hanging the lights on the family home, and with their extensive training in the use of ladders they were well placed to get the job done safely.  It is unclear whether they will return to take the lights down after the holidays, but as Erik will still be unable to climb a ladder it would not be surprising if they did.

When hanging, or taking down your Christmas lights this year take extra care not to fall and end up in hospital; not everyone will be lucky enough to have the fire department step in and do it for them.  While you are doing so, spare a thought for Erik Gaines, who will be enjoying his Christmas dinner with pins and scaffolding sticking out of his leg while the bone heals, and we guarantee you will take the extra care needed to avoid the same fate.