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Holiday safety by the numbers

By JUDY STARK
Published December 2, 2006

82 - Percentage of households that admit to someone climbing on chairs, counters, shelves or furniture rather than using a ladder while decorating for the holidays.

22 - Percentage of those who used a ladder but admit they were consuming adult beverages at the time.

34 - Percentage of adults who decorate using a ladder when it's wet or snowy outside.

36 - Percentage who admit they string lights while the lights are plugged in, using an aluminum ladder, which conducts electricity.

33 - Percentage of adults who wear mittens while climbing ladders and decorating.

38 - Percentage of adults who decorate after dark.

36 - Percentage of adults who stand on the top two steps of the ladder.

Safety tips from the Home Safety Council

- Set your ladder on level ground.

- Work in a well-lighted area.

- Never stand on those top two steps. Use a fiberglass ladder, which doesn't conduct electricity.

- More holiday-related ladder safety tips are at www.homesafetycouncil.org.

Judy Stark, Times Homes and Garden editor

[Last modified November 30, 2006, 12:26:19]