3 Safety Tips for Holiday Decorating
By Robin Davidson
The Holidays are in the air and decorations are going up all over the place. They are beautiful, fun and make our homes come alive. However, beneath all the beauty lurk some dangers. Here are three tips to keep you and your family safe while decorating for the Holidays.
1. Ladder Safety. All those outdoor lights look wonderful, but putting them up using a ladder can be dangerous.
· Always use a ladder that is tall enough for the job. Never stand on the top rung of a ladder.
· Always make sure the ladder is stable and on level ground. It is a best practice to have someone on the ground hold the ladder to help keep it stable.
· Always go up and down facing the ladder. You should always have one hand on the ladder.
· Never lean outside the frame of the ladder.
2. Electrical Safety. As we decorate it is tempting to continue to add more and more, but you need to remember your outlets can only handle so much.
· Always check all stands of lights and other electrical cords for nicks, cuts or other damage that can cause shorts. Never use damaged cords!
· Always be sure lights and other electric decorations that heat up are kept away from flammable objects.
· Never daisy chain power strips.
3. Tree Safety. Christmas trees are a must in many homes, but can be a safety hazard.
· Always be sure to use a base or tree holder designed for the size of your tree.
· Always be sure to check around the area where you want to place your tree. Do not place it too close to a fireplace or woodstove. Never plug in an electric heater near your tree.
· Always supervise small children around the tree so they don’t try and grab decorations and accidently pull the tree over.
· If you have a real tree be sure to keep the water full so it does not dry out and become more of a fire hazard.
Now get out there and decorate your house for the Holidays, but please.
DO IT SAFELY!
The Home Improvement Coach would love to see your house decorated for the Holidays, please send your pictures to diyhomeimprovementcoach@gmail.com
