Mortgage Guys Safety Basics: Holiday Home Decoration Tips

With all the holiday celebrations to look forward to, it’s easy to get caught up in all the festivities around us. While you are busy spending time with loved ones and decorating the house, you might not be aware of the basic safety guidelines you should follow – and this can be very important.

From falling off a ladder while hanging Christmas lights, to tree toppings catching fire – these are just some of the realities that happen every year during the busy holiday season. Mishaps happen more often than you’d think, which is why safety is always an important factor when celebrating all festivities. At Mortgage Guys, we want you to enjoy a safer home while you celebrate the festive season with your loved ones.

Holiday Decorating Safety Tips

Here are a few great safety tips to keep in mind when you start putting up decorations at your home to celebrate this year’s festivities.

1. Keep your tree hydrated. A tree that is dried out can easily catch fire so check the water level every few days to ensure it is properly hydrated. You can also start out with a green tree to prevent it from drying out too quickly.
2. Don’t burn your wrapping paper. Paper can easily catch fire, which is why you should not burn wrapping paper in your fireplace. Instead, rather recycle or even reuse your paper.
3. Only use lights that are certified to be safe. Electrical fires happen all too often, so only use decorative lights that are certified from agencies such as the cUL or CSA. Always read the safety labels too, before you start hanging your lights.
4. Carefully choose your decorations. Only use ornaments that are made of non-breakable materials like plastic, and avoid Christmas crackers around young children. Also, keep in mind that latex balloons are a common choking hazards among young children.
5. Keep candles secure. Never leave any candles unattended and make sure that you mount them on a sturdy base to prevent them from tipping over.
   
6. Avoid damaged electrical cords. Always put up your lights in such a way as to not damage the electrical cords. Avoid using any tacks or nails, and rather use staples or hooks instead.

When it comes to safety at home, the team at Mortgage Guys recommend that you always work as a team to safely decorate your property. These are just some of the most important holiday safety tips to remember – but most of all, enjoy your time with family and friends, and happy holidays!