Mark Stine KOLD News 13 Reporter “We do this every year. It s a tradition we have after Thanksgiving get out and put up our Christmas lights David Hutchins and his daughters are out putting the finishing touches on their winter wonderland. “It s the best way to spend some time when the wife goes shopping I start hitting the lights,” Hutchins said. But before he gets on his ladder to hang those lights, he says safety is his first priority.
“Getting up on the roof and putting up Christmas lights and putting up different decorations is always the fun part of the year, but it s important we be safe when we do it.” Scott Hamblen with Northwest Fire says this time of year the department sees an increase in calls for falls and other injuries that occur while hanging decorations. To hopefully cut down on those calls, they have some ideas. When setting up your ladder, look for level ground and don t forget to look up.
Hamblen exlained, “So that there s nothing up above us there s no trees or power wires or anything like that that we can end up getting hurt with.” You also want to make sure the ladder is set against a flat surface on your roof and at a good angle.
Hamblen told KOLD, “When you set this up, you stand on the first rung here and you can put your arms straight out and if your arms are horizontal with the ground you know you are at relatively safe climbing angle.” And remember to move the ladder often, don t reach. Another common ladder is an A-Frame. You need to make sure you climb on the correct side and read all safety instructions.