Practicing Safety With Holiday Decorations This Year

11/8/2019 (Permalink)

Far too many people underestimate the level of danger associated with holiday decorations and they leave themselves, and their families, at risk.

Holiday season is right around the corner and that means many families throughout South Florida will be decorating their homes. Whether it’s stockings on a mantle or lights on the roof, being careful during this time of year is crucial. Hanging lights is not only a time-consuming and tedious task, it is also potentially very dangerous. As such, it is important for South Florida homeowners to be extra cautious this year while decorating their houses.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), holiday decorations caused over 15,000 injuries that lead to an emergency room visit. From falls to fires, understanding how to properly put up your Christmas lights is essential to staying safe and having a happy holiday. The following tips are helpful to practicing safety with holiday decorations this year:

1. Purchase Christmas lights that have a UL Safety Certification
2. Choose clips to hang the lights, as opposed to screws or nails
3. Make sure you are using outdoor lights outdoors and indoor lights indoors
4. Discard any damaged or old Christmas lights
5. Turn off the lights when you go to sleep at night
6. Consider changing to LED lights
7. Always use a GFCI outlet
8. Be extra careful when using a ladder and do so with a partner
9. Christmas lights should never be run through doors or windows, use outside outlets only
10. Do not plug in more than three light sets into one extension cord

Electrical and fire hazards are abundant during the holiday season. While it may take a few extra steps and purchases to maintain proper safety levels, it is extremely important to take every precaution possible. Far too many people underestimate the level of danger associated with holiday decorations and they leave themselves, and their families, at risk of serious injury.

If you or a loved one has suffered from fire damage in your home, SERVPRO of North Palm Beach County is here for you. Contact us today for more information!