Man's Tragic Death in Reston is Reminder of Holiday Season Dangers

RESTON, VA — Police are warning people to be cautious this holiday season in the wake of a tragedy at the Cosmopolitan apartment building in Reston earlier this month.

Police say a 77-year-old man plunged to his death from the 12th floor of the apartment building on Oct. 13 at around 8:30 p.m. as he was hanging lights on his apartment's balcony, Fairfax County Police spokesperson Officer Tawny Wright told Patch.

Emergency personnel performed CPR on him and then took him to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead.

It's a sobering reminder that even as you prepare to celebrate the holiday season, you should always keep in mind basic safety tips when decorating, especially when doing it from heights. Wright said that anyone hanging up lights should be mindful of the fact that falls can and do happen.

If you're not sure, it's probably best to have a professional do the work, or just not do it at all.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission advises that in addition to being careful of falls while hanging lights, you should also make sure lights are safely secured and don't present a fire hazard. Also, turn off all lights before going to bed or leaving your home.

Image via Fairfax County Police