Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
During the holiday season we like to make our homes look festive, inside and out. This week on Health Watch, we’ll talk about how to make sure your decorating doesn’t put you at risk.
When it comes to putting up outdoor decorations, doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center say you should think before you climb on a ladder. More than half a million people a year need medical help from ladder-related accidents. Dr. Robert Bucholz, an orthopaedic surgeon at UT Southwestern, says you can lower your risk for injury by knowing how to properly set up and use a ladder. Make sure you put the ladder on a firm, level surface. Position the ladder close to where you’ll be working, and move the ladder instead of leaning when you’re working in a different area. Follow directions on the ladder for set-up and use.
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December 2007
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