The twinkle of holiday lights is something that brings much joy to both children and adults alike. At the same time, while these lights and other decorations are beautiful and are the source of a great deal of excitement, they can also be a source of danger if they are not installed and maintained properly. To ensure that your holiday season is bright, but does not endanger you or the ones you love, be sure to keep these 5 tips in mind.
Tip #1: Inspect Lights Thoroughly
Before you hang your lights, make certain they are not frayed, cracked or damaged in any way. Also, inspect the sockets to ensure they are not broken. If you find anything wrong with the cord or socket, discard the lights and purchase new ones, as damaged holiday lights pose a significant fire risk. Similarly, burned out bulbs should be replaced in order to prevent overheating the entire string.
Tip #2: Follow the Manufacturerís Instructions
Following the manufacturerís instructions is an important step toward preventing accidental fire. In general, you should not string more than three strands of lights together, but some lights may not even be able to handle this load. So, be sure to read the instructions in order to ensure you do not overload the lights. Similarly, if the lights say they are for indoor use only, do not use them outside because they will not be able to withstand the outdoor elements. Furthermore, outdoor lights should not be used inside, as they are too hot for interior use.
Tip #3: Use Care When Hanging Lights
If you are hanging lights somewhere that requires the use of a ladder, make certain the one you have selected is appropriate for the job. Furthermore, never use nails or staples when hanging lights, as these can puncture the wire and create a fire risk. Rather, use plastic hangers or insulated tape for the job.
Tip #4: Use Your Lights with Care
In order to prevent accidental fire, you should turn your lights off whenever you go to sleep or leave your home. In addition, if you have lights placed on a real Christmas tree, make sure you keep the tree well-watered, as dry trees are more likely to catch on fire than fake trees or real trees that are well-maintained.
Tip #5: Store Your Lights Safely
To avoid damage from weather and curious animals, light should not be left up for more than 90 days. After you take them down, coil each one around a piece of cardboard and wrap it in fabric or paper and place it in a sturdy container in order to keep the bulbs protected.
Posted by Jolenta Averill on
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Posted by Lloyd Uy on Monday, December 13th, 2010 at 1:38amAnother is if you're using a staple gun, do your best not to staple through the wire.
Posted by Homes in Austin on Monday, December 13th, 2010 at 1:19pmWow, the tree in our picture looks like it was done by a pro! Well said,
Posted by Home Loans on Tuesday, December 14th, 2010 at 5:07pm"homes in Austin" staple guns are bad news!
Really useful information. I liked the tips very much, especially the 3rd one. I will follow it by all means. Thank you for your post, I really liked it, it was very interesting.
Posted by Lawyers News on Thursday, December 16th, 2010 at 8:39amYou really suggested very safe and simple tips for decorating our home for holidays. I like your photo. I am exited to decorate my home. I definitely use your tips.
Posted by California Loan Modification on Saturday, December 18th, 2010 at 6:15amExcellent tips...I would add if you get a real Christmas Tree to make sure you keep it well watered. The drier the tre gets, the more likely it is to catch fire.
Posted by Anita Clark on Sunday, December 19th, 2010 at 5:07pmLeave A Comment