Gatherings, food, decor, and more—the holiday season brings joy! But don’t overlook safety during this festive time. When decorating and hosting, consider these home safety tips for holiday decor.
Take proper decorative precautions.
Prioritize holiday decorations that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant. Before hanging any holiday lights and decorations, check the ladder for broken parts and signs of wear and tear.
When hanging your decorations, avoid sprinklers and fire alarms. If extension cords are needed, don’t have them in high-traffic areas or under rugs, carpets or furniture.
For those nostalgic holiday candles, never leave a lit candle unattended. Keep the candle away from other flammable items and fire alarms or sprinklers.
Reduce holiday lighting hazards.
Lights are essential to every home’s indoor and outdoor holiday decor. Make sure you use indoor and outdoor lights for the specified area. Use lights that have been certified for safety by nationally recognized testing laboratories.
Do your twinkle lights have worn or broken cords or burnt-out bulbs? Replace those strands with new ones for safety’s sake! Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for connecting multiple light strands.
Are you ready to hang your lights? Use clips instead of nails to avoid damaging the cords. Additionally, plug outdoor lights into a GFCI outlet to reduce the risk of electric shock.
Finally, always unplug your holiday lights when you leave home or go to bed.
Christmas tree safety tips.
Whether you prefer an artificial or a real tree, follow these simple home safety tips for holiday decor for your tree.
Look for a fire-resistant label for artificial trees. Choose a live tree with fresh needles that do not easily fall when touched. Additional live tree tips include watering the tree daily—sometimes several times—and removing it from your home when it dries out, becoming a fire hazard.
No matter the tree, place it at least three feet away from vents, heaters, fireplaces, radiators, candles or lights. Set up the tree away from entry and exit points to maintain traffic flow in your home.
Summary
Has Ryan Roberts recently helped you find your dream home? Use these helpful home safety tips for holiday decor to keep your new home safe this season. Continue reading our blogs for more home and real estate tips.