There’s no getting into the holiday spirit quite like decorating your home with bright lights and festive decorations. But before you break out the boughs of holly, there are a few safety precautions you should be aware of. Grab a cup of hot cocoa and read these five tips for safe holiday decorating and keep your holiday season merry and bright.
- Inspect all your decorations. It may not be as fun as baking holiday cookies, but making sure all your lights, ornaments and other holiday décor are intact is important to staying safe. Check your lights for any frayed cords, broken bulbs or exposed wires. If you notice any problem lights in your strand, make sure to replace them before putting the strand up. This can help prevent potential fire or electrocution.
- Keep your tree shining bright all season. To help prevent a tree fire in your home, do not rest your lights directly on tree needles and branches. Instead, opt for light clips. If you have a real tree, cut at least one to two inches from the base of the trunk before putting it in the stand. Make sure to keep it three feet away from all heat sources and add water to it daily to avoid a fire.
- Make sure lights and cords are labeled for appropriate use. Once you have the inside of your home looking festive, turn the outside into a winter wonderland. Before you hang your holiday lights, make sure to use ones that are labeled for appropriate use. Don’t use indoor lights for outdoor use and vice versa. Also, be sure the extension cords you use are rated for outdoor displays. Indoor extension cords aren’t designed for cold, wet areas and could lead to electrocution if exposed to the elements.
- Check your surroundings. Whether you’re decorating indoors or outdoors, always check your surroundings for potential dangers. Outside, keep all lights away from power lines and other electrical equipment. Indoors, avoid running cords under rugs, through doorways or near furniture where they might be stepped on, tripped over or broken.
- Prepare for next year. We understand after another joyful holiday season, it can be difficult to find the motivation to take down all the lights and decorations you put up not long ago, but it’s important to do so. The longer your lights and decorations stay up, the greater the chance they will get damaged by weather or animals. Once they’re taken down, store them in a sealed container to prevent water damage, so you can enjoy them for years to come.
Now that you’re prepared, you can deck the halls with peace of mind and enjoy a jolly holiday season. For more electric safety tips, click here.