Ideally, you already have most of your holiday decorations unboxed and set up. Given that there are not too many days left until Christmas, if your decorations aren’t up yet then you don’t have a ton of time left to do so.

But we realize that not everyone has the time to yank the tree down the stairs and hang every single ornament as soon as the calendar flips to December. Some of us have busy schedules and just decorate when we can. If you’re in a rush, though, you might not be as aware of the safety tips you need to avoid doing something dangerous. Here are a couple last-minute Christmas decoration safety tips from Roman Electric!

Indoor/Tree Safety

The Christmas tree is integral to the spirit of the season. However, it and the rest of your indoor decorations can pose a hazard if you’re not careful.

• Test your lights by plugging the strand in before you place them on the tree. You’d hate to string them all up, only to find out that the wire is frayed, or bulbs have gone out.
• Similarly, check for any other kinds of damage before you string lights up or install decorations. Odds are, they’ve been sitting in a box for the better part of a year so there’s no telling what happened to them.
• Be sure to turn off or unplug lights when you don’t plan on using them for a while or when you leave a room.
• If you’re purchasing a new tree, look for a “fire-resistant” label so you don’t risk catching the tree on fire.

Outdoor Safety

But what would Christmas decorations be without the lights on the outside of your home? Setting these up is undoubtedly more time-consuming, but you can stay safe while doing it by following these simple tips.

• Check to make sure your extension cords are rated for outdoor use. Some are designed to only be used indoors, and they won’t function as well if they’re plugged into exterior sockets.
• When you’re hanging lights on the house, avoid using metal things like nails or staples that could split the coating. When electricity travels through them they can come into contact with the metal, sparking a fire. Use plastic light clips instead.
• Lastly, double-check that all of your outdoor outlets are GFCI-rated. These outlets are designed to protect vulnerable outlets from short-circuiting. That makes it all the more important to ensure they’re powering your lights.

Roman Electric: Your Christmas Electrical Safety Experts

Our number one goal is to keep you and your family safe during this festive season. Roman Electric’s team of expert electricians have the tools and tips to make sure your holiday setup is safe and sound.

Give us a call at 414-369-3798 for the most reliable and trustworthy service in the Milwaukee area!