Dangerous Christmas Decorations

Tinsel Trouble

Christmas decorations may look harmless, but they send tens of thousands of Americans to the ER every year—from shattered glass baubles and collapsing trees to faulty lights that shock, spark, or overheat.

To understand where the biggest risks lie, Bisnar Chase surveyed 2,011 adults nationwide, uncovering which festive decorations cause the most injuries, how many households have experienced accidents, and the safety shortcuts people admit taking when decking the halls.

The findings reveal a clear culprit: glass baubles are responsible for 53% of decoration-related injuries, making them the single most dangerous festive item in American homes.

They were followed by falling Christmas trees (30%) and string lights (13%). Overall, 19% of households say they’ve experienced at least one Christmas-related injury—a figure that climbs to 25% in Montana and drops to just 8% in Colorado.

Beyond the injuries themselves, the survey highlights how widespread risky decorating habits really are. Many Americans turn to makeshift solutions when reaching tricky spots, and ladders remain a frequent source of trouble:

• 47% have balanced on a chair or piece of furniture instead of using a proper ladder.
• 40% have climbed a ladder alone without anyone spotting.
• 13% admit to using a ladder outdoors on uneven or icy ground.

Electrical risks tell a similar story. More than one in five (22%) have received an electric shock or burn from Christmas lights, and 45% leave their lights on overnight or when nobody is home.

When asked which decoration they underestimate the danger of, respondents most commonly pointed to overloaded outlets and extension cords — a risk overlooked by 33% of Americans.

Other underestimated hazards include:

• Real trees drying out (fire risk): 18%
• Glass ornaments: 16%
• Indoor string lights: 13%

Despite these dangers, Americans see themselves as split on safety: 39% say they’re very safety-conscious, and another 39% are somewhat careful, while the remaining 22% admit they take shortcuts or don’t think about safety at all.

Brian Chase of Bisnar Chase says, “Every year we see preventable injuries caused by decorations that people assume are harmless. A broken ornament, a wobbly tree stand, or an overloaded outlet or dry Christmas tree doesn’t feel like a major threat until it sends someone to the hospital. Our message is simple but important: enjoy the season, but take those extra seconds to decorate safely and protect your family. It’s the easiest way to keep the holidays joyful instead of painful.”