Tinsel Trouble: Study Finds Glass Baubles the No.1 Cause of Festive Injuries in Illinois Households.

• Study reveals the festive decorations causing injuries in Illinois homes.
• 10% of Illinois households have reported at least 1 injury caused by Christmas decorations.
• Infographic included.

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 households, 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 56% of decoration-related injuries, making them the single most dangerous festive item in Illinois homes. They were followed by falling Christmas trees (36%), and shocks or burns from string lights (3%). Overall, 10% of Illinois households say they have experienced at least one Christmas-related injury.

Beyond the injuries themselves, the survey highlights how widespread risky decorating habits really are. Many people 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.: 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 respondents.

Other underestimated hazards include:

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

Despite these dangers, Illinoisans see themselves as split on safety: 39% say they are 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.

Infographic

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 doesn’t feel like a major threat – until it sends someone to the hospital. Our message is simple: enjoy the season, but take those extra seconds to decorate safely. It’s the easiest way to keep the holidays joyful instead of painful.”