Decorating Your Home Without MSK Worries.
Decorating our homes for Christmas is an exciting time. It gives us a chance to transform spaces into festive grottos or Blackpool Tower. But we also need to be careful not to push ourselves too far and turning this Christmas into the Grinch’s dream.
Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries can increase over the Christmas period; muscles strains and wrist sprains are common. Here are a few ways to keep over body in good working order over Christmas:
Lift Smart to Protect Your Back and Shoulders:
Decorations can be deceptively heavy, especially boxes full of ornaments or the tree itself. You can protect your body through the following steps:
Bend your knees, not your back. Squat to pick items up rather than rounding your spine.
Hold items close to your body. This reduces strain on your back and shoulders.
Avoid twisting while carrying. Turn with your feet instead of rotating your torso.
Split loads if they’re too heavy. Several light trips are better than one painful one.
Ask for help with awkward items. Large tree sections or bulky boxes are easier and safer with two people.
Reaching and Hanging:
Repetitive reaching overhead can cause shoulder or neck strain. To avoid this:
Keep decoration boxes at hip or waist height while sorting—avoid constant bending.
Take short breaks if you are stretching upward for long periods (like placing ceiling garlands).
Use a reach tool or pole for high areas instead of overextending your arms.
Swap sides regularly to avoid overusing one shoulder.
Step Ladder Safety
Without doubt, the humble step ladder is an essential part of any decorating process. However, most holiday injuries happen from falls—especially from chairs or unstable surfaces. A step ladder is your safest friend if you use it right.
Use a proper step ladder, not a chair or table.
Place it on a flat, stable surface.
Make sure it is fully opened and locked into position.
Keep three points of contact: two feet and one hand, or two hands and one foot.
Avoid overstretching to one side. Climb down and reposition the ladder instead.
Never stand on the top step unless the ladder is designed for that use.
Christmas decorating should bring joy, not sore backs. By following these simple MSK-friendly and general safety tips, we have no doubt your home will be merry and bright, but importantly injury-free.
Stay safe, and happy decorating!