Holiday Decorating Safety Tips

Snow is falling, carolers are singing, and coffee shops have seasonal lattes again – it’s the holiday season for sure! In addition to jolly music and comfort food, decorations like evergreen trees and bright red bows make every place more magical.

You can transform your home into a joyful wonderland for the holidays using a few decorations, but sometimes the decorating process is a bit risky. (It makes you wonder how Santa feels traversing all those rooftops…)

However you choose to decorate, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Before you start hanging any lights or trimming the tree, take the time to review some safety tips so you can keep the holidays accident-free.

Outdoor Safety

Move tripping hazards

Extension cords, staked decorations, and other displays can create a serious tripping hazard if they’re strewn across walkways or your yard. Unsuspecting guests can end up getting hurt if they stumble over something, especially if it’s dark or icy out.

Use exterior equipment

Extension cords and twinkle lights come in interior and exterior grades. If you’re creating an outdoor light display, be sure to use outdoor rated lights and extension cords so they function properly.

Weigh down decorations

Inflatable decorations are easy to set up and fun to look at, but they can easily blow away or topple over. Make sure you weigh down these kinds of displays and any other decorations that aren’t very heavy. That way, you can use them without worrying about the wind!

Be cautious with electronics

Electronic decorations are beautiful, but they can be dangerous if used improperly. Follow these tips to keep your electronic decorations ready to use the whole season.

  • Turn off all electronics before you go to bed, including holiday lights.
  • Carefully inspect all electronic pieces; if you find any frayed wires, repair or replace them before you use them.
  • Don’t use so many electronics that you overload your electrical system. (Remember National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation? Don’t mimic that example!)
  • Plug all outdoor electronics into a Ground Fault Interrupter.

Indoor Safety

Use your ladder as intended

Ladders may seem benign, but as with all tools, using them incorrectly can result in serious injury. Follow common ladder safety tips, such as keeping your ladder on flat, steady ground, and never using the top three steps (they’re not meant to carry your full weight).

Only climb straight up – don’t go backwards or lean to the side, since you risk the ladder tipping over. If you’re uncertain about the ladder’s stability, grab a friend or family member to stabilize the ladder for you.

Maintain your holiday tree

If you want to keep your tree beautiful, you need to properly maintain it. Even fake trees require special care. Follow these guidelines if you want to keep your tree safe.

  • For real trees

    • Buy a tree that’s fresh.
    • Place it well away from any fires or hot objects.
    • For large trees, secure them to the walls and ceiling with wires.

  • For fake trees

    • Choose a tree with a fire-resistant label.
    • Keep it well away from any open fires like candles or fireplaces.
    • When the holiday is over, place it in a zippered tree bag.

For more tree safety tips, check out this guide from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Keep festive plants out of reach

Poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe are all poisonous, so either buy fake ones, or place them where kids and pets can’t reach.

Properly dispose of wrapping paper

Although it feels like the better option, don’t recycle wrapping paper unless it’s plain and simple – no glitter, no lamination, and no metallic elements.

Try the scrunch test: if it can easily scrunch into a ball and stay folded, it can be recycled. Otherwise, toss it in the trash.

Make sure there are no gift tags, ribbons, or bows on the paper if you throw into the recycling, too.

And never throw wrapping paper in the fireplace – it can create unhealthy fumes.

Avoid fragile decorations

Glass ornaments and other delicate decorations are beautiful, but they are easily broken. If you want to use them, make sure to place them out of reach of children and pets.

However, the best option is to buy plastic, wooden, or metal decorations. They will be sturdier than glass or ceramic, and they’ll last for years.

Trucordia wishes you a safe and happy holiday season this year, and if you ever have questions regarding your insurance, give us a call or get a quote. Happy Holidays!