Deck the Halls with a Rented Man Lift
There are several holiday stories – horror stories, mostly – of people trying to put up Christmas lights or decorations with a ladder. However, as anyone who has used a ladder knows, they can be extremely dangerous. A study of 10 years' worth of Christmas-related injuries found that an overwhelming majority of them involve ladders or stools.
Whether it's reaching too far, putting the ladder on snow or ice, or using a 30+ year old ladder you’ve always had many reasons are using a ladder can be unsafe. Any slip, fall, crash, or close call can turn a happy holiday into a painful one. And most E.R. visits happened the first week of December when a majority of people put up decorations.
While many people try to put their Christmas decorations up early to avoid the bad weather, unfortunately, most don’t have the time. The weather can also be very unpredictable as the snow and cold can creep up on us, leading to a higher chance of an accident.
Head contusions, cuts, and sprains are the leading injuries, most of them happening on the head and face. In 2016, over 10,000 people in Canada went to the hospital in December after falling while putting up decorations. That's why using an aerial lift like a scissor lift or boom lift should be considered as they are great tools for hanging Christmas lights and decorations.
The Issue With Using Ladders For Hanging Decorations
For the general homeowner, using a ladder for Christmas lights may be the easiest option because the odds are that you probably already own one. However, if they're not used often or stored properly, things can go wrong.
Ladders should be safety-checked before being used – especially after they’ve been sitting in a garage or shed for 7 months.
How to Properly Use A Ladder
If you do choose to use a ladder for hanging decorations, it's important to know how to use one properly. One of the biggest safety issues is that people try to use a ladder that is too short for the height they are trying to reach.
For example, OSHA regulations state that at least 42 inches of the ladder should be left above the access level or landing space for the ladder itself. That means the top three rungs should never be used. And that may be hard to do if your ladder isn't that tall to begin with.
Ladders should also be leaned against a sturdy rail, wall, or other support at about a 75-degree angle. They should never be angled directly up and down. The common rule-of-thumb is the 4-to-1 rule which states that the ladder should be 1 foot away from the building for every 4 feet of height you're trying to climb.
What To Look for When Inspecting a Ladder
Before using any ladder, there are a few things you should inspect for including:
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Missing or loose rungs or steps
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Damaged or worn non-slip feet on the bottom of the ladder
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Loose nails, screws, bolts or nuts
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Rot, decay, or warping on wooden ladders
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Cracks or exposed fiberglass in fiberglass ladders
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Loose or faulty spreaders or locks
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Any metal parts that are rusted, corroded, oxidized, or in poor condition
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Distortion or twisted rails
And while it may seem obvious, never use a wobbly ladder or any ladder with obvious broken or bent metal parts.
The Man Lift: The Ladder Alternative
While ladders have their use cases, they are dangerous to use, especially in harsh winter conditions. While construction lifts like scissor lifts and boom lifts are not often associated with homeowners, they provide a safer experience for hanging holiday decorations and lights. Many malls, local governments, and businesses rent boom lifts for Christmas light installation and decorations.
This is often because of the speed and efficiency with which man lifts help put up decorations. Depending on the boom lift, they can reach over 180 feet vertically, and 150 feet horizontally. And with their steady base and great lift capacity, the odds of falling or feeling unsteady drop dramatically.
The Types of Aerial Equipment for Decorating
The four common aerial lifts that can be used to decorate both residential and commercial properties are scissor lifts, articulating boom lifts, telescopic boom lifts, and towable boom lifts. Below we will quickly discuss their differences and when to use them.
Scissor Lifts: Only capable of lifting vertically, scissor lifts are great lift options if your decorations don't require horizontal or up-and-over reach. They are often used indoors or in areas with a lot of flat surfaces that they can drive over freely. They also have a higher lifting capacity than other machines so are great for when decorations are heavy. Scissor lifts could be helpful for interior decoration or hanging anything from a tall ceiling.
Articulating Boom Lifts: Extending both horizontally and vertically, articulating boom lifts also have many "knuckles" or pivot points, giving them the ability to access up and over obstacles. These aerial lifts are great for buildings or areas with lots of trees, or residential properties with lots of obstacles.
Telescopic Boom Lifts: Similar to articulating boom lifts, telescopic lifts can extend horizontally and vertically but do not have pivot points in the telescoping arm. This gives them the ability to stretch up and out, but not the ability to go up and over. They are great for malls and commercial real estate decorations where there are few obstacles.
Towable Boom Lifts: Made for DIYers and homeowners, towable boom lifts are small articulating boom lifts that can be towed by a typical SUV or truck. This makes them great for homeowners who need something quickly. They have a max reach of just over 50' making them great for residential properties.
Who Should Use Aerial Equipment for Holiday Decorating?
As the safest option, everyone doing a significant level of decorating, especially in elevated places, should consider using aerial equipment to do their holiday decorating. Whether it's putting ornaments on trees, hanging lights in elevated areas, putting a snowman on the roof, or anything else, safety should be a priority.
While it's common for malls, stadiums, and event centers to use man lifts to decorate, man lifts should be used by residential homeowners as well. As mentioned, the holiday season and decorating lead to a lot of hospital trips across North America. Getting rid of ladders and taking a safer approach with any of the aerial equipment listed above can save lives.
Man Lifts Vs. Ladders: The Safe and Affordable Way
While the cost of renting a man lift is more than just pulling the ladder out of your garage, it's more affordable than you may think. Especially if you want to get the holiday decorations up safely. The risk of ruining your holiday with a fall off a ladder could be costly in more ways than money. And, if you do it properly, you can get more done in a day using a boom lift than a weekend using a ladder.
Prices for man lift rental costs vary on location and length of rental. Search DOZR for a man lift rental prices near you.
Types of Decoration Projects That Could Benefit from a Man Lift
Houses with pointed roofs, tall trees, and even interior spaces in office buildings, event halls, churches, schools, or any other type of building can benefit from using a man lift over a ladder.
Make Renting a Man Lift a Community Experience
If you aren’t sure if renting a lift for your house is worth it, consider making it a neighborhood holiday tradition. If a few neighbors come together to rent a lift for a few days or a week, the cost is worth it. Not only is it a great way to help connect to neighbors during the holiday season but it also keeps everyone near you safe.
A Safe and Happy Holiday
With companies like DOZR making equipment rentals more accessible, working smarter is easier than ever. This holiday season, think twice before you rely on the ladder you only use twice a year, and think about other ways you can stay safe this holiday season.
Whether it’s renting a man lift for holiday decorating or simply investing in a ladder that is a proper height and would pass an inspection, it’s easy to stay safe. This way everyone can be happy at home for the holidays. Search DOZR for man lift rentals for Christmas lights and holiday decorations!
