Holiday Decorations Most Likely to Cause Injuries
The Californer/10334299

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - Californer -- Dangerous Holiday Decorations

Christmas decorations may look harmless, but they send tens of thousands of Americans to the ER every year—from shattered glass baubles and collapsing trees to faulty lights that shock, spark, or overheat.

To understand where the biggest risks lie, Bisnar Chase surveyed 2,011 adults nationwide, uncovering which festive decorations cause the most injuries, how many households have experienced accidents, and the safety shortcuts people admit taking when decking the halls.

The findings reveal a clear culprit: glass baubles are responsible for 53% of decoration-related injuries, making them the single most dangerous festive item in American homes.

They were followed by falling Christmas trees (30%) and string lights (13%). Overall, 19% of households say they've experienced at least one Christmas-related injury—a figure that climbs to 25% in Montana and drops to just 8% in Colorado.

More on The Californer

• Custom Patches San Diego Expands Production for Local Military and First Responders
• California: At Munich Security Conference, Governor Newsom advances climate action and partnerships as Trump abandons America's allies
• Hubble Tension Solved? Study finds evidence of an 'Invisible Bias' in How We Measure the Universe
• California's historic investments to curb retail theft result in 29,060 arrests $226 million in recovered goods in two years
• Black History in Agriculture: Farms to Grow, - Hosts Virtual Celebration Honoring Black Farming Le

Beyond the injuries themselves, the survey highlights how widespread risky decorating habits really are. Many Americans turn to makeshift solutions when reaching tricky spots, and ladders remain a frequent source of trouble:

• 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.

Electrical risks tell a similar story. More than one in five (22%) have received an electric shock or burn from Christmas lights, and 45% leave their lights on overnight or when nobody is home.

When asked which decoration they underestimate the danger of, respondents most commonly pointed to overloaded outlets and extension cords — a risk overlooked by 33% of Americans.

Other underestimated hazards include:

• Real trees drying out (fire risk): 18%
• Glass ornaments: 16%
• Indoor string lights: 13%

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.

More on The Californer

• California: Governor Gavin Newsom, Governor Katie Hobbs, and Governor Joe Lombardo release joint statement on Colorado River deadline
• City of Long Beach to Host LA Galaxy Soccer Celebration
• California: Fighting fraud, saving time, cutting costs: Governor Newsom's efficiency strategies are improving state government
• Top 12 reasons to ♥️ California on Valentine's Day
• U.S. Battery Celebrates A Century of Manufacturing Excellence and Innovation

Brian Chase of Bisnar Chase says, "Every year we see preventable injuries 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. Our message is simple but important: enjoy the season, but take those extra seconds to decorate safely and protect your family. It's the easiest way to keep the holidays joyful instead of painful."