Winter is the best time you want to work around the house. But be careful since every hour from November to January, U.S. hospitals treat lots of patients from falls, carbon monoxide poisonings and home-heating fires. Read this guide, be precautious and enjoy your risk free winter.

1. Falls from Ladders
For every 4 feet you’re going up, pull the ladder’s base 1 foot back from the wall. Falls will happen when you lean over a little too far. If your belt buckle strays past the side of the ladder, you’re overreaching.

2. Burns from Grills
Make sure to test your grill before using. A frozen rubber hose can crack and leak gas. To test the hose, pour soapy water where the hose connects to the grill, if bubbles rise in the air or you can smell gas, it’s time to buy a new hose.

3. Poisonings from Fireplaces
Use dry, seasoned wood because the fresh wood can coat the chimney with more creosote which is a flammable substance and burning household waste releases harmful chemicals. To prevent chimney fires, hire a professional to check your chimney every year and clean it if necessary.

4. Strains from Shoveling snow
Know yourself. You shouldn’t pick up more than 10-15 percent of your body weight. Point your foot toward where you want to throw the snow. A twist the throw away the snow can cause back strain. Get one of those bent handle shovel which help keeping your spine in a more neutral position.

5. Injuries from Nail Guns
Hold the gun perpendicular to the target so it won’t shoot to the side. Keep your hand at least 4 inches away from the point of impact since the longest nail a gun can fire is about 3 ? inches long. Use lightweight guns for the easier aiming.

6. Cuts from Power Saws
Test the blade sharpness by making a cut in a wood scrap. The slice should be clean, if not, re-sharpen or replace the blade. Dull blades don’t cut well and you may hit a knot or staple in the wood and the saw may jerk out or kick back which is very dangerous.