The holidays are a time when we all want to make our homes feel festive and welcoming. And one of the best ways to do that is to get the whole family involved in holiday decorations! But it’s important to remember that during this season, there are also extra safety concerns to be aware of. Do you know how to keep everyone safe during every step of holiday decoration planning? In this guide, we will provide safety tips you can use to ensure that all of your holiday decorating fun goes according to plan. From choosing the right decorations to proper storage and essential safety tips, here’s everything you need to know to make your holiday decorating safe, merry, and bright!
Select Safe Decorations
When it comes to holiday lights and decorations, it’s important to make sure you choose items that are safe for your family and home. Whenever possible, choose decorations made from fire-resistant materials and make sure to keep them a safe distance away from any open flames or heat sources. Avoid glass ornaments or other decorations that could break or shatter. Also, if you plan to buy an artificial Christmas tree, choose one made from fire-retardant materials and use LED lights. LED lights don’t get hot like other types of lights and therefore are much safer – and much more energy efficient – to use in your decorating.
Avoid Unsafe Decorations
Some common holiday decorations can have hidden dangers. For example, decorations with small or sharp parts could pose a choking hazard, especially for young children. Additionally, be cautious of flammable materials such as dried flowers or straw, as they could easily catch fire. If you are planning to have a live Christmas tree, take the necessary steps to keep it from drying out. Dry trees can catch fire much more easily. Choose holiday lights that have been tested for safety and avoid overloading electrical outlets. Take extra care with holiday candles – keep them away from flammable materials and never leave them unattended.
Hang and Remove Decorations Safely
Along with choosing safety-conscious decorations, it’s important to take safety precautions when hanging and removing decorations, as well. For example, when hanging outdoor holiday lights and decorations, use a sturdy ladder or step stool to ensure proper balance and avoid falls. Do not allow young children to climb on or play around ladders – there is a serious risk of injury. Each year, there are more than 164,000 emergency room-treated injuries and 300 deaths in the U.S. caused by falls from ladders. Most ladder deaths are from falls of 10 feet or less.
While they should stay away from ladders, there are plenty of other ways that children can help decorate for the holidays. However, it’s important to supervise children during decoration planning and set-up to ensure they don’t handle unsafe or breakable items. Also, be aware of any potential hazards that may arise while decorating – for example, a dangling ornament that a child could grab and potentially choke on.
Finally, when removing holiday decorations, do so carefully to avoid damage to your home or injury.
Maintaining Decorations Safely
An important part of your holiday decorating safety strategy is proper decoration maintenance. To keep you and your family safe, start early and take the time to properly clean and inspect your decorations before using them each year. For example, inspect lights and cords for fraying or damage before use. Replace any damaged ones to avoid electrical hazards. Frayed or broken holiday lights can derail your holiday lights projects faster than anything! Before you put your decorations away each year, take the time to wipe them down. This will prevent dirt and grime from building up and potentially cause even relatively safe decorations to become a safety hazard.
Avoid Storage Problems
Proper maintenance and storage go hand in hand. By properly storing holiday decorations, you can avoid damage or safety hazards. Store your decorations in sturdy containers that are big enough for the items to fit safely inside. Choose plastic or other waterproof materials to prevent water damage. Make sure not to overload storage containers. Wrap and store fragile items with extra care to avoid breakage. And be sure to label the containers, so you know where each decoration belongs at the end of the season.
Storing light strings the right way can also help avoid damage and huge, messy tangles. Buy or make a reel to keep your lights neatly secured. You may also consider using zip ties or plastic bins with cardboard dividers to keep light strings organized and tangle-free.
Lastly, keep stored holiday decorations in a dry, cool place to avoid any potential damage.
Hire Professional Assistance
Decorating for the holidays can be a safe and fun activity for the whole family. But it’s also a lot of work! If busy schedules and safety concerns are putting a damper on your holiday decorating plans, it may be time to consider calling in your local holiday lighting experts to help! At Your Holiday Lights, we can handle many of your holiday decorating needs. We are a professional holiday lighting company that offers free estimates and safety-conscious decorating ideas from professional lighting experts. We can help you get ready for the holidays safely and save you a lot of time and effort.
Prioritizing safety during the holidays is one of the best ways to ensure you enjoy the season with your family. So, if you’re looking for holiday lights installation near you, look no further than Your Holiday Lights. We are located right in your neighborhood!
Do you have holiday decorating safety tips you’d like to share? Add them to our comments section!
