With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas just ahead, you are probably hustling to get everything done so you can enjoy the holidays. Many homeowners have started to decorate the outside of their homes. It is so fun to see all the colored lights, illuminated trees, and oversized cartoon characters popping up around you…but don’t be too hasty. When it comes to decorating your roof, windows, and doors, you want to think about safety. That way, you can avoid the accidents that may be funny in movies, but would ruin your holiday in real life. Here are some safety tips to follow while decorating your home this season:
Check your Ladder
Before grabbing a handful of lights and climbing onto the roof, you need to be sure your ladder is in working order. Ladder injuries are common year round, but there is a sharp increase in accidents over the holidays. Once you look things over, place your ladder on the flattest possible surface and test it before going onto the roof.
Work as a Team
It is best to always work with someone else when you are using a ladder and putting up Christmas lights. With someone supporting the base and handing you the strings of lights, you will reduce your risk and get the job done faster.
Clean the Gutters and Windows
If you haven’t gotten up on the roof to clear out the fall leaves or clean the second story windows, now is a great time to kill two birds with one stone. Not only will cleaning out the gutters prevent blockages and ice-dams, but it will also help lower your risk of accidental fires. Plus, maintaining your windows will prolong their life and allow you to enjoy the view of your winter wonderland.
Use Outdoor Cords and Lights
Every box of Christmas lights should have the designation for outdoor, indoor, or both. You want to make sure you are stringing up the right lights in the right place, otherwise you may increase your risk of shock.
Keep Electronics Away from Water
Across the country, we have had a fairly mild winter so far. Even if you haven’t seen snow, you want to make sure your cords are clear of any standing water. This is especially important if warm days follow snowfall and thaw the fresh fallen snow.
Don’t Overload Your Outlets
This is pretty common knowledge, but if you plug too many devices into one outlet, it can blow a fuse or overheat and cause a fire. Spread out your décor so that only a few lights are plugged into the same outlet and use surge protectors where necessary.
Light the Windows
Even if you don’t want to go outside to decorate, you can still light up your home for the holidays. Simply string lights around your window frames instead of hanging them out doors. In most cases, you can use a simple step ladder to get the job done.
Power down When you Go to Bed or Leave the House
Many homeowners love to leave their Christmas lights on all night long. Not only is this an unnecessary drain on your energy, it is also a safety hazard. Hot lights or a short could cause an electrical fire. If you don’t want to remember to unplug your lights, set them on a timer to come on and go off at certain intervals to save you time, money, and worry.
Your windows and doors are the portals to your home and we hope you give them a little extra love and attention this season. If you notice something is not right and you need replacement windows in Portland, OR, we hope you will give EnergyGuard a call at 503-554-5500. Our professional and reliable team is ready to sort out any issues and help you get them resolved before the holidays arrive.