Decorating for the Holidays
As the holiday season gets into full swing, many families decorate to spread some cheer and make their homes more festive. Holiday decorations in the home represent major fire hazards which can have deadly consequences. Insurance can bring you peace of mind when it comes to your property, but your family’s health and safety has infinitely greater value. Minimize risk and maximize the health of your family this holiday season by following these safe decorating tips ahead.
Decorate Safely During the Holidays
Here are a few suggestions for your holiday decorating:
Only buy electrical decorations that have a UL rating on the label, which indicates that they have been tested for safe use
Follow all installation and usage instructions for lighting decorations to ensure that you are not increasing your chance of starting a fire
Inspect new and used lights before using them and discard any that have cracks, exposed wires or loose connections
Do not connect more than three sets of lights to an extension cord at one time
Plug outside lighting only into a ground fault circuit interrupting (GFCI) outlet, as this will safeguard the outlet from any interaction with water
Do not secure outside lights with staples or nails, and avoid placing indoor extension cords under carpeting, rugs and furniture
Unplug lighting decorations before going to bed and leaving the house
If you set up a Christmas tree, place the tree in a sturdy stand at least 3 feet away from heat sources
Only keep your Christmas tree up for two weeks, because it will dry out quickly and can become highly flammable
Safety First
If you blow a fuse while decorating, discard the faulty light string or decoration and replace the blown fuse. If the fuse blows again, contact an electrician to investigate the problem further. This might indicate a more serious wiring problem in your home.
For more questions or concerns, be sure to contact the ‘A’ Team to learn more!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alma Rodriguez
Alma Rodriguez is the Manager of Private Client Services for the Private Insurance Management division at Assurance. With over 22 years of experience, Alma specializes in working with private insurance clients to identify circumstances that put their wealth at risk and provides comprehensive tailored insurance solutions to eliminate exposures. In Alma’s spare time, she volunteers for numerous community outreach non-profits in Chicago and the western suburbs.
