Here are the ways SC folks get hurt the most during Christmas season, report shows

Have you ever balanced on a chair or piece of furniture instead of using a proper ladder while decorating for Christmas?

Or left tree lights on overnight or when nobody is home? How about handled glass ornaments with something other than care?

If so, you’re not alone.

The personal injury law firm of Bisnar, Chase crunched the numbers of injuries people sustain due to holiday decorations.

They call it tinsel trouble.

Here’s what they found:

In South Carolina, 41% of those surveyed said they had gotten injured from glass baubles. That’s compared to 53% nationwide.

Glass is the “single most dangerous festive item in American homes,” the law firm said.

Coming in second was falling Christmas trees, where South Carolina is just a bit above the national average of 32% compared to 30%.

Problems with lights injured people in South Carolina more than those surveyed nationwide — 20% compared to 13%.

The law firm asked 2,011 U.S. residents if they had been injured by glass ornaments, Christmas trees, and electric shock, burns, or fire-related incidents from lights.

“Christmas decorations may look harmless, but they send tens of thousands of Americans to the ER every year,” the law firm said.

Brian Chase of Newport, California-based Bisnar Chase said such injuries are preventable, “caused by decorations that people assume are harmless.”

“A broken ornament, a wobbly tree stand, or an overloaded outlet or dry Christmas tree doesn’t feel like a major threat until it sends someone to the hospital,” he said.

Overall, 19% of households said they’ve experienced at least one Christmas-related injury.

The survey found:

• 47% have balanced on a chair or piece of furniture instead of using a proper ladder.
• 40% have climbed a ladder alone without anyone spotting.
• 13% admit to using a ladder outdoors on uneven or icy ground.
• 22% have received an electric shock or burn from Christmas lights
• 45% leave their lights on overnight or when nobody is home
• 33% admit to overloading outlets and extension cords
• 18% said they let trees dry out, posing a fire risk

“Despite these dangers, Americans see themselves as split on safety: 39% say they’re very safety-conscious, and another 39% are somewhat careful, while the remaining 22% admit they take shortcuts or don’t think about safety at all,” the law firm said.

Columbia Richland County Fire Department offers these tips:

• Water Christmas trees regularly
• Choose a tree with fresh green needles that do not fall off when touched
• Cut 2 inches from the base of the trunk before placing the tree in a stand
• Make sure the tree is at least 3 feet away from any heat source
• Use lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory
• Replace any string of lights that are worn out or broken