Once, while caulking under the eaves of my house,  my ladder ‘walked.’ I fell twelve feet, breaking the ladder, which was made of solid wood, in three places. I visited the emergency room that day, and within a couple of weeks, a neurologist. My vertigo and difficulty finishing sentences led to the diagnosis of a concussion and closed-head injury.

When I asked the doctor when I’d get better, he replied that, while some people do recover completely, others learn to live with the results of a closed-head injury. Years later, I still talk ‘backwards’ at times, exchanging ‘winter’ for ‘summer’ and ‘black’ for ‘white,’ for example. I’m thankful to have gotten off so lightly, but  if I’d only followed a simple safety rule, my accident would have been prevented.

We’ve just started the Old Bohemian Homestead Christmas Plan, which includes a fall cleaning schedule. This week’s Christmas task is to put up your lights, now before it gets too cold to do so comfortably or safely. That means you may be climbing on a ladder.  Now is a really good time to cover the topic of fall cleaning safety.

Stress-Free Fall Cleaning

Before we get into fall cleaning safety, lets visit our other focus: making fall cleaning easy. This idea stems from another experience of mine. A couple of years ago, I joined a Christmas plan that included a home cleaning schedule. Participants were supposed to spend the first week cleaning, decluttering, organizing, maintaining, and decorating their entries. I became so obsessed over creating the perfect entry, however, that I never made it to the next area and wound up quitting the plan.  Don’t let this happen to you.

The fall cleaning checklist is meant as a guideline, not a straight-jacket. It’s not possible for me to know how much time each of you has to work on fall cleaning, so I make the list as comprehensive as I can for those who have the time and energy to complete all tasks. If you are not able to do so, just pick out the most important items in each area and do those. You’re home will be better off than before, and you’ll keep your sanity. Remember, the focus of this Christmas plan is to take the stress out of the holidays by helping you prepare in a focused, orderly fashion. If you can’t manage time for the fall cleaning, don’t do that part. Yes, I really said that. It’s far more important for you to enjoy those smiling faces around the tree on Christmas morning than to have a perfect home to house them in.

Safety Tips

First, my disclaimer: I am just a homeowner who is interested in safety, not a safety expert. This post is for the purpose of raising awareness of fall cleaning safety and not meant to be comprehensive, to supersede your own common sense, or to advise you on a specific situation. Should you require the advice of a safety expert for any reason, I urge you to seek one out.

Fall Cleaning Safety

• Don’t leave long-handled tools where you can step on them.  Shovels or rakes have been known to come up and smack people in the face.
• Don’t vacuum barefoot, and wear shoes when doing home improvement projects or working in the yard.
• Remember that fall leaves are slippery when wet.
• The stairs should be kept clear of toys or other items that can form a tripping hazard.
• Use a proper lifting technique.
• Either mop when family members aren’t home or warn them that floors will be wet.
• Mops buckets and tools should not be placed where others (or yourself, if you forget) might trip over them.
• Be careful not to leave cleaning products or other caustic materials where young hands can find them.
• Wear gloves to protect your hands when gardening, doing household maintenance, or working with caustic materials.
• Natural products tend to be gentler, so default to them.
• Guard your eyes with safety goggles whenever particles or sprays can rebound backwards.
• Wear a protective mask when cleaners or fine particles can invade your lungs. Be sure to study the package before you buy a mask to determine whether it suits your purpose.
• If you use a razor knife or scissors, make sure you close it and stash it out of childrens’ reach each and every time you set it aside.
• When using a saw or other cutting tools, wear the correct safety equipment, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Read manufacturer’s instructions for all tools and cleaning products.
• Make sure you allow adequate ventilation when painting or working with cleaners.
• Know your limitations. If you are not an electrician or plumber, hiring one can often save you money in the long run.

Ladder Safety

• Always, always inspect a ladder before trusting it with your weight. If there are loose or missing parts or if the ladder leans or seems rickety, don’t use it.
• Never climb a ladder without having a spotter, someone to steady it in the event it slides or walks.
• If you are tired or having balance issues for any reason, stay off the ladder.
• Don’t get on a ladder in a storm or when it’s windy.
• Wear slip-proof shoes, making sure the soles are clean. Leather soles don’t have adequate traction.
• Make sure your ladder is sturdy enough to support your weight and that of any other weight you are placing upon it.
• Use a ladder that is of an adequate height for the task at hand.
• Never stand on the top rung of a ladder.
• Avoid uneven ground. Set up your ladder on firm, level ground that is clear of anything that might make the ladder slip.
• Don’t place the ladder in front of a door or window that could open unexpectedly.
• In most cases, it’s safest to only allow one person at a time on your ladder.
• Read all safety information that comes with or is on your ladder.
• Keep your hands free while climbing the ladder. This may necessitate using a tool belt or otherwise conveying items up the ladder.
• Climb slowly, using both hands, with your body squarely facing the ladder.
• It may be tempting, but don’t try to position a ladder you are standing on.
• Never lean out away from the ladder or to the sides past the ladder rails. Keep your body centered as much as possible.

For My Christmas Crowd:Putting Up Christmas Lights Safely

• Use only outdoor Christmas lights for outside your home. Before putting up Christmas lights, check them for cracked cords, frayed ends, and dodgy connections. When in doubt, buy new lights. Newer lights have fused plugs that keep a short circuit from sparking a fire, so its a good idea to replace older lights.
• Plug outdoor lights into a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet.
• Use grounded, exterior extension cords only.
• When running extension cords along the ground, be sure to elevate electrical connections. Avoid running cords across places people walk. Tape down cords that might become a tripping hazard.
• Replace Christmas bulbs as soon as they burn out, using bulbs of the right  wattage for your light strand.
• Hang lights with insulated hooks only. Nails, tacks, and staples can pierce wire coverings.
•  Don’t leave your Christmas lights unattended. Never leave them on when you’re not home or asleep. Periodically check extension cords to make sure they aren’t overheating.