Holiday Lighting Ladder Safety
Table of Contents
Holiday Ladder Safety: Preventing Falls While Hanging Holiday Lights
Every year, the holiday season brings joy, celebration, and festive decorations. But it also brings something less cheerful: an alarming number of ladder-related accidents.
Last week, tragedy struck when a professional window cleaner lost his life after falling from a roof while installing holiday lights for his business. Sadly, this is not an isolated event. Holiday decorating accidents, particularly falls from ladders, send thousands of people to the emergency room every year.
For homeowners and professionals alike, safety must come first when working at heights during the winter season. Below, we’ll explore why ladder safety is so critical, review sobering statistics, and share practical steps — along with must-have ladder safety products — to help prevent accidents this holiday season.
The Stark Reality: Holiday Ladder Accident Statistics
Holiday decorating might seem harmless, but the numbers tell a different story. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
An average of 200 decorating-related injuries occur every day during the holiday season.
Most injuries are the result of falls, with broken bones being the most common.
In 2018 alone, five people died from holiday-decorating-related accidents.
In 2017, more than 18,000 people went to the ER due to decorating accidents.
Around 165,000 Americans require medical treatment annually for ladder-related falls.
Men are 40% more likely than women to suffer ladder-related injuries.
The severity of injuries increases with age.
Whether you’re a homeowner hanging lights or a professional contractor offering holiday lighting services, these numbers underscore the importance of using ladders safely and responsibly.
Why Winter Ladder Work Is Especially Dangerous
Using a ladder is risky year-round, but winter brings unique hazards that amplify the danger:
Slippery conditions: Ice, frost, or even condensation can make both roofs and ladder rungs slippery.
Cold-weather fatigue: Muscles tire more quickly in cold temperatures, increasing the likelihood of slips and mistakes.
Wind gusts: Winter winds can destabilize ladders, especially when extended high above the ground.
Bulky clothing: Heavy coats and gloves can make it harder to maintain grip and balance.
For window cleaners, roofers, and holiday lighting installers, it’s crucial to recognize these risks and plan accordingly before stepping onto a ladder.
Ladder Safety Basics Everyone Should Follow
Before we cover the tools that can help, let’s revisit a few essential ladder safety practices:
Maintain three points of contact: Always keep either two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, in contact with the ladder.
Inspect your ladder: Never use ladders with bent rails, cracked rungs, or worn feet.
Set up on level ground: Avoid soft soil or uneven ground without using levelers.
Keep the correct angle: Place your ladder at a 75° angle — about one foot out for every four feet of height.
Never overreach: Your belt buckle should stay between the ladder rails at all times.
Extend above rooflines: Extension ladders should extend at least 3 feet beyond the roofline for stability.
Avoid risky weather: Don’t use ladders in high winds, rain, or icy conditions.
When combined with proper safety equipment, these practices can drastically reduce the risk of an accident.
Recommended Ladder Safety Products
If holiday lighting or winter ladder work is on your to-do list, investing in safety equipment is one of the smartest moves you can make. Here are some of our top recommendations:
1. Sky Genie Ladder Hook
The Sky Genie Ladder Hook attaches to a rigger’s belt, which then clips onto a ladder rung. This clever setup provides you with a third point of contact even when you can’t physically hold onto the ladder with both hands.
When used with the Ladder Lock System, it allows you to work hands-free for short tasks while still complying with OSHA ladder safety guidelines.
2. Ladder Lock System
Ladder Lock
$35.80
Ladder Lock The Ladder Lock is an essential safety tool designed to secure extension ladders to a variety of surfaces, ensuring stability and preventing property...… read more
A ladder is only as safe as its stability at the top. The Ladder Lock System ensures your ladder stays firmly in place by connecting a latch to a rung and clamping securely onto the gutter.
This prevents side-to-side wobbling when reaching out to hang lights — one of the most common causes of ladder accidents.
3. Ladder Standoff
ProTool Ladder StandOff
$193.60
Ladder StandOff – Boost Ladder Stability and Safety for Any Project The Ladder StandOff is the perfect solution to increase ladder stability and ensure safety...… read more
Don’t rest your ladder directly on gutters. Instead, use a Ladder Standoff, which keeps your ladder resting against the roofline itself. This protects gutters from damage and provides a wider, more stable base of support for you as you climb.
4. Leg Levelers
Ladder Leveler w/Rubber Feet (2 pack) Xtenda-Leg
$120.45
Xtenda Leg Ladder Leveler with Rubber FeetLevel a ladder in seconds with unlimited adjustment positions. You can easliy extend and retract it by simply squeezing...… read more
Yards and driveways are rarely perfectly flat, which makes Leg Levelers invaluable. These attach to your ladder and create a level, sturdy base even on uneven surfaces.
The heavy-duty steel feet with rubber pads ensure your ladder won’t slip or sink into soft soil. They extend with a simple foot pedal and retract just as easily when you’re done.
5. Vee Groove Ladder
Ladder Top 06ft Vee Groove Metallic Ladder Mfg. Corp.
$495.50
V-Groove Top Section Ladder Top Section 6ft V-Groove Metallic Ladder Mfg. Corp. Top Section Sectional Ladder - V-GrooveLightweight, easily transported and interchangeable. 6'Metallic Ladder Window...… read more
For those who work around corners, the Vee Groove Ladder is a game-changer. Its grooved design allows the ladder to lock securely against corners of walls or structures, giving you stability where a flat ladder would normally slip.
OSHA Guidelines for Ladder Use
In addition to safety products, professionals and DIY decorators alike should familiarize themselves with OSHA’s ladder safety guidelines. Key takeaways include:
Always maintain three points of contact.
Face the ladder while climbing up or down.
Never exceed the maximum load rating.
Keep ladders free of slippery materials like ice, paint, or grease.
Secure ladders at the top or bottom to prevent movement.
Following these rules isn’t just about compliance — it’s about protecting lives.
Final Thoughts: Safety First, Decorations Second
The holiday season should be about joy, family, and festive celebrations — not ER visits or tragedies. Unfortunately, falls from ladders are far too common, and professionals are just as vulnerable as homeowners.
By combining best practices, OSHA guidelines, and the right ladder safety tools, you can dramatically reduce your risk. Whether you’re a window cleaner expanding into holiday lighting, or a homeowner decorating your house, taking safety seriously is the best gift you can give yourself and your loved ones this season.
If you’re planning to work on a ladder this winter, don’t just grab your lights and go. Gear up with the right safety equipment first — because no decoration is worth your life.
FAQs
How common are ladder accidents during the holiday season?
According to the CPSC, there are an average of 200 decorating-related injuries per day during the holiday season, most of which are ladder-related falls. Each year, thousands of people end up in the ER from falls while hanging lights or decorations.
What are the main causes of ladder falls in winter?
Slippery surfaces from rain, ice, and condensation are the biggest culprits. Windy conditions and uneven ground also make ladders unstable, increasing the risk of falls.
What’s the safest way to hang holiday lights from a ladder?
Always follow OSHA guidelines—keep three points of contact on the ladder (two feet and one hand), avoid overreaching, and make sure your ladder is set on even ground. Using stabilizing products like ladder locks, standoffs, or leg levelers adds extra safety.
What safety equipment can help prevent ladder accidents?
Products such as ladder locks, ladder standoffs, leg levelers, and Sky Genie hooks help stabilize your ladder and ensure better balance. These tools make it easier to work hands-free when necessary while staying secure.
Do professionals really need ladder safety products, or are they just for homeowners?
Both! Professionals face the same (and sometimes greater) risks because they work at higher heights and for longer hours. Ladder safety gear is essential for window cleaners, roofers, and holiday light installers.