A lot can happen during the holiday season. With all of the home decorating comes heavy lifting, ladder climbing, handling of wiring and lighting, and more. That's why it may be wise to consider a few simple safety tips for decorating and enjoying your Christmas.
Exercise proper lifting technique at all times. Bend at the knees and use the lifting power of the legs instead of bending at the back to lift heavy items. Whether taking out or putting away items, it is important to wisely stack the storage containers and items. Make sure that the stacks are stable and out of the way of any possible foot traffic.
Light Safety:
When working with lights, there are several steps that can minimize risk. First, be sure to check the string over carefully. Any bulb that is broken or burnt out should be immediately removed. Also you should check to make sure that the wire is not frayed or damaged. Wear and tear or gnawing creatures may have left the insulation damaged and unsafe. For that reason, it is also important to never hang strings of lights by putting nails or staples through the wire, as this damages the circuit and the insulation, causing a general decrease in how safe it is. Discard any damaged strings that you find.
Once you have the lights ready for use, there are still a few things to keep in mind. There is a limit to how many strands of lights you can link together end to end. The way to figure this is to add the listed string wattages together. For our lights, the recommended maximum is about 210 watts. It is not recommended to exceed this in a single circuit, as it may lead to overloading and heating. Keep larger bulbs away from flammable materials if they are not LED, as they give off a lot of heat. Our artificial trees are fire resistant. While this isn’t the same as unable to burn, it does mean that they will not burn quickly or easily, so hot lights aren’t as much of a concern there. Of course, if you still worry, you can use LED lights, which have much lower wattages and give off far less heat, so peace of mind can be acquired that way.
When decorating a roof, there are several steps to consider. First, you should have another adult assist you while you work on your roof. At the very least, they should be someone there as a spotter. Second, like your lights, you should check your extension cords for shorts and damage. Make sure that any lights or other electric devices are rated for outdoor use. Our products always indicate if they are usable outdoors or not. Make sure to carefully secure any larger decorations that are being placed on the roof, particularly if the weather in your area calls for heavy precipitation or wind. The last thing you want is for your huge Santa roof figure to suddenly topple.
Whether it is indoors or outdoors, you want to be careful about leaving your lights on too much. While it may feel like a nice touch to leave your lights on all night, this wastes energy and also risks a fire. So be sure to turn off your lights when you go to bed. Alternately, you can set up a timer if you want the lights to stay on a bit longer than your sleeping schedule.
Tree Safety:
There are things to consider when decorating your tree as well. Before you even begin decorating, make sure that the tree is well secured and balanced, so that there is no risk of it toppling over either during or after decorating.
While actually trimming the tree, you first want to be certain to use fire resistant decorations, particularly if you are using a lot of lights. Tinsel and garlands especially should be checked for fire resistance. As our garlands are made of the same materials as the trees, for the most part, they are also fire resistant. If there are small children or animals in the house, consider minimizing the number of sharp or fragile glass ornaments that you hang from the tree, to reduce risk of knocking any down. If your tree is flocked, be careful when moving it. Flocking is loose and can rise into the air, and can cause irritation if inhaled. It is also something that might be wise to avoid around children or animals. Read our article on how to pet-proof your Christmas Tree to learn more.
Wax candles must be used carefully due to the risk of open flame. never use candles on a Christmas tree. Even if it the tree is fire resistant, the heat of the flame is likely to cause damage or even a fire. Make sure that your candles are carefully secured wherever they are placed, and that they are out of the reach of children and animals. Make sure the candles are not on a surface that will wobble or shift easily, and that there is no clutter or flammable objects around them. Also be certain that the candle is in a safe, non-flammable holder as well. Never leave lit candles unattended. Make sure to extinguish them in such cases, particularly if you are about to leave the house.
Whether it is indoors or outdoors, you want to be careful about leaving your lights on too much. While it may feel like a nice touch to leave your lights on all night, this wastes energy and also risks a fire. So be sure to turn off your lights when you go to bed. Alternately, you can set up a timer if you want the lights to stay on a bit longer than your sleeping schedule.
When the season is over, make sure you store your Christmas decorations properly to keep them away from children and pets.
Use these tips to help make sure that you and your family have a safe and fun Christmas!