Ladder Safety Tips in the Fall: How to Prevent Injuries While Decorating

As the leaves change and the crisp air of autumn settles in, many homeowners embrace the season by decorating their homes for autumn. Whether it’s hanging spooky ghosts from tree branches, stringing lights across the porch, or placing festive wreaths above doorways, this seasonal tradition often involves one common tool: a ladder.

While decorating can be a fun and rewarding way to get into the fall spirit, it also comes with serious safety risks. Every year, emergency rooms see a spike in injuries related to ladder falls, especially among homeowners tackling DIY projects and seasonal decor. Unfortunately, many of these incidents are preventable and result from simple safety oversights.

At our personal injury law firm, we often work with clients who have suffered serious injuries due to defective ladders and unsafe conditions. These accidents can lead to broken bones, head trauma, and in severe cases, long-term disability. That’s why it’s so important to understand and follow basic ladder safety practices before you climb.

In this blog, we’ll share practical ladder safety tips to help you decorate safely and avoid becoming part of this year’s injury statistics. Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or just hanging a few lights, these precautions can help keep your fall festive and injury free.

What are the Risks of Ladder Use for Homeowners?

Climbing a ladder might seem like a simple task, but it’s one of the leading causes of home-related injuries in the United States, especially during the fall decorating season. Consider the case of a local homeowner who was hanging string lights around their front porch for Halloween. They used an old step ladder that hadn’t been checked for stability in years. While reaching to secure the final strand, the ladder shifted on uneven ground, causing them to fall backward onto their driveway. They suffered a fractured wrist and a mild concussion, resulting in emergency surgery, weeks off work, and mounting medical bills.

Unfortunately, their story isn’t unique. These types of accidents happen every fall, often due to overlooked safety precautions like ladder placement, equipment condition, or overreaching. Homeowners who fall from ladders often suffer:

Fractures and broken bones, particularly in the wrists, arms, ankles, and legs.
Head injuries, including concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) from striking pavement or hard surfaces.
Spinal injuries, which can lead to temporary or permanent disability.
Internal injuries that may not be immediately visible but can be life-threatening

What makes these injuries more alarming is that many occur from falls of just 6 to 10 feet.

How to Choose the Right Ladder

The first step in ladder safety is selecting the right type for the task at hand. There are two main types:

Step ladder: ideal for indoor use or when you don’t need to lean the ladder against a surface. These are self-supporting and great for changing light bulbs or painting walls.
Extension ladder: best for outdoor tasks like roof access or trimming tall trees. These ladders must lean against a stable surface and provide more height than step ladders.

Always check the ladder’s weight rating to ensure it can support both your weight and the weight of any tools you’re carrying. Also, make sure the ladder is tall enough for the job—don’t stand on the top rung to reach something just out of grasp.

Before stepping onto a ladder, do a quick inspection:

Look for cracks, dents, or bends in the frame.
Check for rust, especially on metal ladders.
Ensure there are no missing or loose parts, including rungs, bolts, or safety locks.

A few extra minutes of inspection can prevent serious injuries down the road.

How to Set Up Safely

Once you’ve chosen and inspected the right ladder, proper setup is key to preventing accidents. Here’s how to ensure a stable and secure start:

Place the ladder on level, firm ground – Always set your ladder on solid, level ground. Avoid soft soil, uneven surfaces, or slippery floors, which can cause the ladder to shift or tip over. If necessary, use a ladder leveler for uneven terrain.
Use ladder stabilizers or anti-slip feet – For added stability, especially on hard or smooth surfaces, equip your ladder with anti-slip feet or ladder stabilizers. These accessories help prevent sliding and provide extra grip, making your climb safer.
Follow the 4-to-1 Rule for Extension Ladders – For every 4 feet of ladder height, the base should be positioned 1 foot away from the wall or vertical surface. This angle provides optimal balance and support, reducing the risk of tipping backward.

How to Use Proper Climbing Technique

Once your ladder is set up correctly, using the right climbing technique is just as important. Most ladder accidents don’t happen because the ladder is faulty. They happen because of unsafe behavior while climbing.

Whether you’re climbing up or down, face the ladder at all times. This keeps your body balanced and your hands within easy reach of the rungs. Turning away or twisting to grab decorations can throw off your center of gravity and lead to a fall.

A good rule to follow: Always maintain three points of contact with the ladder by either:

Two hands and one foot, or
Two feet and one hand

This simple habit helps keep you stable and supported. Avoid carrying bulky decorations or tools in your hands as you climb. Instead, use a tool belt or rope system to hoist items up safely once you’re in place.

One of the most common causes of ladder accidents is overreaching. If you can’t comfortably reach something without leaning to the side, climb down and reposition the ladder. It might take a little longer, but it’s much safer than risking a sideways fall.

Work Smart, Not Solo

Having a second person can make all the difference. Many ladder-related injuries occur because homeowners try to do too much on their own without backup, balance, or a plan.

A second person can help stabilize the ladder, especially on uneven or soft ground. More importantly, they can act as a spotter by keeping an eye out for potential hazards, handing you tools, and calling for help in case of an emergency. Even if the ladder seems stable, having someone there to monitor and assist significantly reduces the risk of falls or delays in getting help if something goes wrong.

Avoid carrying tools in your hands while climbing. It throws off your balance and prevents you from maintaining the crucial three points of contact. Instead:

Use a tool belt to keep hands free and essentials within reach.
For larger or heavier items, consider a pulley system or bucket-and-rope setup to lift them up safely once you’re in position.

Remember: the goal is not just to get the job done—it’s to get it done safely.

Be Mindful of Weather and Time of Day

Even with the right ladder, proper setup, and safe climbing techniques, environmental factors can quickly turn a routine decorating task into a dangerous one. Weather conditions and poor visibility are common contributors to ladder-related accidents in the fall season.

Fall weather can be unpredictable. Wind gusts, damp surfaces, or early frost can all compromise ladder stability and increase the risk of slips or falls. Avoid using a ladder if:

Winds are strong enough to cause swaying or unsteadiness
The ground is wet, muddy, or icy
The ladder or your shoes are slippery

If the weather takes a turn while you’re working, stop and reschedule. No decoration is worth risking serious injury.

As daylight hours often shorten in the fall, many homeowners find themselves decorating in the early morning or late afternoon. Poor lighting can make it hard to see where you’re placing your feet, identify ladder defects, or spot trip hazards.

If you’re working around dawn or dusk, use work light or motion sensor floodlights to brighten the area. Avoid relying solely on porch lights since they often leave shadows. Make sure your spotter can also see clearly. Good visibility is a basic, but critical part of ladder safety that’s often overlooked in seasonal decorating rushes.

Injured in a Fall? We Can Help

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, whether due to a faulty product, hazardous property conditions, or someone else’s negligence, you may have a legal case. Our personal injury team offers free case reviews to help you understand your rights and options. Let us review your case, determine liability, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today!