Thanksgiving is coming up fast, and for a lot of us that means the ladder comes out of the garage soon after. Before you start stringing lights along the gutters or hauling the tree in from the shed, take ten minutes with this checklist. Most holiday decorating injuries are falls, and most of them are avoidable.
— Will Barton
Why this matters
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that about 14,900 people were treated in emergency rooms for holiday decorating injuries between November 1, 2022, and January 31, 2023. That works out to roughly 160 decorating injuries a day during the season, and nearly half of them involve falls.
Before you climb: ladder and power line basics
Hang lights in daylight. LG&E and KU recommend putting up outdoor lights and decorations during daylight hours.
Look up first. Carry ladders horizontally and check for overhead power lines before you set one up, per LG&E and KU. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) says to keep yourself and your equipment at least 10 feet from power lines.
Use the right ladder. ESFI recommends wooden or fiberglass ladders rather than metal, which conducts electricity.
Inspect it. Check for loose or missing screws, hinges, bolts, and nuts before you use it (ESFI).
Extend it far enough. If you are going onto the roof, ESFI says the ladder should extend at least three feet past the roof edge.
Check your trees. Before wrapping a tree in lights, make sure it hasn't grown too close to a power line (LG&E and KU).
Outdoor lights and extension cords
Read the label. ESFI says every extension cord and electrical decoration used outside should be marked for outdoor use.
Plug into GFCI-protected outlets. Outdoor lights and decorations should be on circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters. If your outdoor outlet doesn't have one, ESFI notes that portable GFCIs are sold wherever electrical supplies are sold.
Inspect every strand. Toss lights that are frayed or damaged (LG&E and KU), and check cords and decorations for damage before using them (ESFI).
Secure them for wind. Fasten lights so they hold up to gusts without damaging the cord insulation. The CPSC recommends insulated staples or hooks, not nails.
Keep cords dry. Keep extension cords and light strings clear of snow and standing water (ESFI).
Unplug before fixing. Always unplug decorations before replacing bulbs or fuses (ESFI).
Inside: trees, candles, and outlets
Give the tree room. LG&E and KU recommend keeping trees and decorations at least three feet from fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, heat vents, and candles.
Water a live tree. The CPSC says to keep a live tree watered, and to look for a "Fire Resistant" label when buying an artificial one.
Don't overdo the strands. The CPSC advises never stringing together more than three sets of incandescent lights and never overloading outlets.
Keep cords out of the way. Don't run cords under rugs, near heat sources, or through cramped spaces (LG&E and KU).
Watch your candles. Never leave a candle unattended, keep it away from anything flammable, and put it out before you leave the room (CPSC). LG&E and KU suggest battery-operated candles instead.
Turn it all off. ESFI recommends switching off indoor and outdoor decorations before you leave home or go to sleep. A smart plug with a timer, which LG&E and KU suggest, makes that automatic.
Two easy upgrades
Switch to LED strands. According to LG&E and KU, LED lights are safe to the touch, shatterproof, and use less energy.
Get a free smoke alarm if you need one. The Louisville Fire Department offers a free home fire safety inspection and, if needed, a free 10-year lithium battery smoke alarm for owner-occupied single-family homes. Request one through Metro311 by calling 311 or (502) 574-5000, or online. Renters should ask their landlord, who is responsible for providing alarms.
Your checklist this week
Pull out last year's lights and throw away any strand with frayed wires or damaged sockets.
Confirm your extension cords and outdoor decorations are labeled for outdoor use.
Test your outdoor outlets for GFCI protection, or pick up a portable GFCI.
Inspect your ladder and walk the yard to spot any power lines near where you plan to work.
Set up a timer or smart plug so the lights shut off overnight.
Next week: simple ways to keep your winter energy bill in check.
— Will Barton
Sources
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, "Happy Holidays Start with Safety": https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2025/Happy-Holidays-Start-with-Safety-CPSC-Urges-Families-to-Cook-Decorate-and-Select-Toys-with-Care-This-Season
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, "CPSC Releases Holiday Decoration Safety Tips for Avoiding Fires and Injuries": https://www.cpsc.gov/content/cpsc-releases-holiday-decoration-safety-tips-for-avoiding-fires-and-injuries
Electrical Safety Foundation International, "Outdoor Decoration Safety Tips": https://www.esfi.org/outdoor-decoration-safety-tips/
LG&E and KU, "Keep the holidays safe and bright with these safety tips": https://lge-ku.com/newsroom/press-releases/2024/12/09/keep-holidays-safe-and-bright-these-safety-tips
Louisville Fire Department, "Request a Smoke Alarm": https://louisvilleky.gov/government/fire/services/request-smoke-alarm