According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2012, how many Americans are seen in emergency rooms due to holiday decorating injuries?

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that there were 15,000 injuries involving holiday decorating seen in emergency departments nationwide during November and December 2012. It was reported that there was an increase in decorating related injuries from 2009 to 2012. There were approximately 250 visits to the E.R. each day in November and December. In 2012, the most frequently reported holiday decorating incidents seen in emergency departments involved falls (34%), lacerations (11%) and back strains (10%).

The CPSC recommends carefully adhering to the safety instructions found on ladders when using them to decorate. They also recommend extra caution when selecting a tree. Fresher trees are less likely to catch fire, and should always be set up away from sources of fire. In regards to the use of lights, the CPSC recommends selecting lights tested for safety by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Intertek (ETL) or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Lights for both indoor and outdoor use must meet strict requirements that testing laboratories are able to verify. Candles and fireplaces should always be carefully maintained and never unattended when lit. The CPSC encourages adults to carefully supervise young children when decorating their trees and house, and to use non-breakable ornaments as opposed to glass ornaments and decorations.