Don’t be a Statistic: Follow These Best Tree Stand Safety Practices

One out of three hunters will fall from a tree stand in his or her hunting career. Tree stands are popular because they are an fun and effective way to hunt, but every year, hunters are seriously injured and killed from tree stand falls. Follow these basic safety tips to stay safe during the hunting season:

• The Ohio Department of Natural Resources recommends a Full Body Safety Harness (FBSH) and a climbing safety strap whenever your feet leave the ground.
• Take a free tree stand safety course online.It only takes 15 minutes and it meets industry standards recognized by Treestand Manufacturer’s Association (TMA). Tree stand safety has evolved over the years-stay on top of best practices.
• Do not use a single-strap or waist-type harness.  These were once considered safe, but they can cause strangulation in the event of a fall.
• Most accidents occur when climbing up or down from a tree stand so always use a climbing strap and never climb with anything in your hands. Instead, use a haul line to raise and lower equipment.
• Inspect your tree stand and harness for damage prior to each use. If a fall occurs, the harness should be replaced.
• Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission for recalls on your old tree stand or safety equipment.
• Always carry a cell phone or other means of emergency communication while out on a hunt, and let someone know the location where you will be hunting, and when you plan to return.