Christmas time is in full swing, and that means many of you are decorating your homes inside and out! Having your home decorated can bring back warm fuzzy memories and fill your home with holiday cheer, but the process of decorating can at times be less than enjoyable. Depending on your decorating techniques, it can also wreak havoc on your home (cue flashbacks to National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation). Don’t fret just yet! We’re here to help, offering a few decorating tips to keep you and your home safe this holiday season.
When hanging Christmas lights, it is best to have a plan in mind before you begin. You should measure the areas you plan to light, then make sure that the strings of lights are long enough to plug into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet without tension on the cord. Before hanging lights, you also should do a thorough visual inspection of the light bulbs and cords to make sure there are no broken bulbs or frayed areas, which could be a safety hazard. As far as what type of lights to use, although they are usually more expensive, consider LED lights because they burn cooler and last longer than traditional incandescent lights, making them safer and more cost efficient in the long run.
When hanging exterior lights, it is imperative to never attach anything to your roof using nails, screws, or staples. Methods such as these can cause serious damage to your roof resulting in leaks over time. Instead, we recommend the use of plastic clips, which you can find at your local home improvement store in the Christmas section. Another thing to keep in mind, when working on higher areas you should use a sturdy ladder that is tall enough to reach the area you need – you don’t want to be standing on your tip toes on the top of a ladder – and you should keep walking on your roof at an absolute minimum for both your safety and the safety of your roof. Lastly, to save on energy and avoid the shock of a high electricity bill, we recommend using an electrical timer made for outdoor use.
Many of the same ideas for outdoor decorating can translate to indoor decorating. Whether you use a live tree or an artificial tree, you should make sure all of your light strands are in good condition before plugging them in. A frayed strand can be a serious fire hazard. Of course, if you do have a real Christmas tree, be sure it is watered daily, as a thirsty tree is much more likely to catch fire than a well-hydrated one. You should also always turn off lights and blow out any candles before leaving the room.
Again, whether you are hanging garland, wreaths, or wall decor, adhesive hangers are your friend. Save an afternoon of time and on the cost of sheet rock repair by avoiding screws and nails, and use an adhesive that will easily come off your wall when the season is over.
We hope these tips make decorating a little easier for you and a little easier on your home! From everyone here at Stylecraft, we are wishing you and your family a joyful holiday season!
