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With the Thanksgiving holiday now behind us, many households will begin to decorate for Christmas. While hanging the lights, wreaths and garland to make your home merry and bright, it is also important to make it safe.
For indoor decor, purchase lights and electrical decorations from reputable retailers that have been approved for safe use by nationally recognized testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories, Intertek, or Canadian Standards Association.
Consider purchasing LED lights, which use less energy and run cooler than traditional incandescent lights.
Before decorating inside your home, determine how many outlets are available and where they are located. That way you can plan your display accordingly.
Overloading electrical outlets with too many decorations can overheat and cause a fire.
Carefully inspect each electrical decoration for cracked or damaged sockets, loose or bare wires and loose connections that may cause serious shock or fire.
Never connect more than three strands of incandescent lights together.
Make sure that electrical cords are not pinched in doors, windows or heavy furniture, which could damage the cord’s insulation.
Be careful not to hang or support light strings in a way that might damage the cord’s insulation.
For the outside of your home, make sure all lighting and extention cords are rated and marked for outdoor use.
Match power needs (amperage) of electrical decorations with amperage rating of extension cords.
Just like indoor decorations, outdoor lighting and electrical decorations should be inspected for damage before using.
Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters. If circuits are not GFCI-protected, portable GFCIs can be purchased and require no special knowledge or equipment to install.
Be sure to fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, the house or any other firm supports to protect them from wind damage, and attach them in a way as to not damage the insulation.
Keep all extension cords and light strings clear of snow and out of standing water.
Spotlights used to illuminate decorations should be kept well ventilated, protected from weather and a safe distance from flammable items.
When using a ladder to place decorations, check beforehand for any loose or missing screws, hinges, bolts and nuts.
Use wooden or fiberglass ladders when decorating outdoors. Metal ladders conduct electricity.
The correct ladder height is also important when decorating. Ensure the ladder extends at least three feet past the edge of the roof being decorated.
Power lines can also be a danger when decorating the outside of your home. Always keep yourself, equipment and decorations at least 10 feet from power lines.
Make sure outdoor and indoor lighting, and electrical decorations, are unplugged before replacing any bulbs or fuses.
Also, be sure to turn off all indoor and outdoor decorations before leaving the home or going to sleep.
Following these helpful decorating tips can reassure your family a happy and safe holiday season.