As the year draws to a close, you might be preparing to deck the halls with boughs of holly. But before getting your outdoor Christmas decorations from your storage area, it is worthwhile to pore over and follow these holiday decorating safety tips. Why?
According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission or CPSC, about 12,500 people are injured annually due to acts related to decorating properties for the holiday season. These include falls, cuts and electrical shocks. On top of that, an annual average of 11,600 fires are reported, the cause of which are lit candles. This has resultedin deaths, injuries and loss of property. Annually, about 300 fires are attributed to Christmas trees causing death, injuries and property loss and damage. It may be the season to be jolly, but that does not mean that you should scrimp on safety.
Follow these tips and your holidays would surely be merry and bright:
- If you are purchasing an artificial Christmas tree, choose one that is fire-resistant. Although such a Christmas tree will still catch fire, it will not burn as quickly, allowing the members of the household to have ample time to control the fire. Avoid using electrical ornaments like light strings on trees that have metallic elements.
- Should you choose to get a live tree this year, get one that is fresh. Fresh trees are less of a fire hazard compared to dried ones. In order to maintain the freshness of the tree, keep it in a stand filled with water.
- Ideally, Christmas trees should be trimmed with non-combustible materials.
- They should never be put too close to sources of heat, including radiators and fire places, and should not obstruct passageways.
- If you are buying a new set of lights, whether for indoor or outdoor use, get those that have been tested by a recognized third party and adhere to safety standards. When buying lights for outdoor use, check whether the ones you are buying are rated for that purpose. Before placing lights, take the time to check the condition of the individual bulbs as well as the wires. If you must use extension cords, do not plug more than three standard-size light sets.
- Avoid using nails or tacks when fastening outdoor lights. Instead, use insulated staples.
- Before turning in for bed or leaving the home, make sure that the lights are turned off.
- When shopping for decorations, homeowners should be particularly mindful of buying stuff which are sharp or breakable, especially if there are youngsters around the house. Avoid buying these as well as decors with small parts that may be swallowed or inhaled.
- As much as possible, avoid using candles. If you must, put these in non-flammable holders in areas where they won’t get toppled over.
- If you are planning to put lights and other decorations on your roof, make sure that you do not forget about your safety (in the same way that specialists in roof repairs and gutter installations never forget about theirs). Make sure that you use a suitable ladder for the task at hand. Ideally, the ladder you should use should extend higher than your roof, allowing you to easily step off it.
- Step ladders are preferred for instances wherein you do not need to step directly on the roof, like hanging lights on the eaves. Extension ladders, on the other hand, are suited for tasks that require you to perform work on the roof itself.
- Once you have found a suitable ladder for your task, make sure that it is firmly planted and secured on the ground. It would be beneficial to enlist the aid of another person to help you with decorating the roof, especially if you need to use various tools and decorations. Another pair of hands can eliminate the need to carry gear with you while stepping up the ladder.
- Before commencing any work on the roof, make sure that you plan ahead. This will minimize the amount of time you need to work on the roof and prevent climbing up and down just to check whether your Christmas lights are working.
- Finally, make sure that you wear the appropriate gear, including non-slip footwear like work boots and sneakers with good tread.