The holiday season is almost here, which means it’s time to decorate your home. Interior and exterior holiday decorations help get you in the festive spirit—and make your home feel inviting to guests and family members. But whether you opt for a subtle tree and Christmas lights, or you like to transform your home into a Winter Wonderland, you should be exercising caution while decorating. The chiropractic health experts from North Pole Chiropractic in Alaska note a sharp increase in injuries around the holiday season, most of which are directly related to decorating. Below, their team lists their top decorating safety tips so that you can skip the back pain and enjoy yourself this holiday season.

5 Tips for Safe Holiday Decorating

1. Lift With Caution

Take your time and use proper form while removing your holiday decorations from storage. Only take one item out at a time, and use your legs to lift heavier boxes and decorations. If you know you have several heavy items, protect your chiropractic health by enlisting a strong helper.

2. Stay Close to the Ground

Keep your decorating endeavors as close to the ground as possible. Attempting to hang Christmas lights is one of the leading causes of emergency room visits each year. Stick to the lower half of your house, placing lights on columns, porches, and outdoor bushes. If you choose to decorate your roof or upper floors, use a ladder and measure the distances beforehand to avoid accidents.

3. Never Work Alone

Ask a friend, neighbor, or family member to help you while decorating, especially if you have elaborate outdoor decorations. They can help hand you ornaments and lights so that you can focus on decorating. Additionally, an extra set of hands is useful in helping secure your ladder.

4. Secure Wires & Hanging Decor

Use clips, zip ties, and hooks to secure wires, string lights, and other hanging ornaments. In addition to being an electrical hazard, loose wires or lights can become tangled and increase your risk of falling. Stay safe by securing one section at a time before moving on to other areas of your home.

5. Do Outdoor Work On Clear Days

Weather can play an important role when it comes to decorating your home safely. While it is difficult to predict how the weather will be on any given day, try to decorate the exterior of your home on a bright, clear morning or afternoon. If portions of your roof are moist, frozen, or covered in snow, avoid these areas until they are thawed and dry.

If you have injured yourself while decorating and need pain relief, contact North Pole Chiropractic at (907) 488-1885 to schedule an appointment. For information on other chiropractic health services, including sciatica treatment and worker’s comp rehabilitation, visit them online today.