Christmas may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it is also the most dangerous, thanks to all those decorations.
Lewis Schwartz was hanging lights at his Fort Worth home when he fell 10 feet from the top of a ladder and punctured and collapsed his lung. Schwartz also suffered four broken ribs.
"The odd thing is I never put up lights before because I'm Jewish. But my wife is not, so I put the lights up for her," Schwartz said.
Trauma doctor David C. Smith says he sees broken legs, arms, ribs, and pelvises frequently during the holiday season.
"About 3 or 4 years ago, we had 2 people that fell from ladders while decorating. Both of them ended up paralyzed," he warned.
Lewis Schwartz didn't even get to finish putting up his lights. His breathing treatments, however, are going well. He already has a New Year's resolution: "Next year, I hire somebody to put the lights up."
Experts advise, never go up a ladder to string lights alone. If you don't usually work on the roof, hire someone who usually does. It's a lot cheaper than a trip to the hospital.
