Avoid Holiday Injuries

(HealthDay News) -- Decorating for the holiday season should be plenty of fun.

But hanging those decorations -- especially if a ladder or step-stool is involved -- can take the jolliness right out of the holidays if you fall.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these holiday decorating ideas:

• Hold off on the cocktails until after the decorating is done.

• Use a shorter ladder or step-stool when possible. An extension ladder may be your best bet for outdoor or high decorating jobs.

• Never put more weight on the ladder than it can hold. Also, clean and inspect the ladder before use to make sure nothing is loose or broken.

• Make sure the ladder sits on a sturdy and even surface.

• Don't stand on a piece of furniture to put up a decoration.

• Always wear shoes or sneakers, and make sure the laces are securely tied.

• Don't move anything heavy or awkward by yourself. Find someone to help you.