Warning: Do Not Make These Holiday Decorating Mistakes
Do you consider yourself an expert when it comes to decorating your home for the holidays? Even if you’ve been doing this year after year, there’s a big chance you’re making one of these mistakes. One of these mistakes can cost you money in repairs or seriously hurt you during the decorating process.
Mistake #1: Using Indoor Lights Outside
Homeowners that use indoor lights on the exterior of their home are running the risk of damaging their home’s electrical system (and risking harm via electrocution). Only use lights that are made specifically for outdoor use, as they’re built for holding up under poor weather conditions.
Mistake #2: Failing to Inspect Lights
Blindly hanging up and plugging in lights is a foolish move that can hurt both you and your home’s electrical system. Strands of lights that have exposed wires or broken bulbs can short circuit – leading to possible electrical fires, blown fuses, and electric shock. Inspect each strand of lights for exposed wiring and broken bulbs, followed by plugging them into an outlet to check if they light up.
Mistake #3: Using a Ladder Anywhere
When hanging lights and other decorations across the top of your home, you will oftentimes need a ladder. However, if there is no stable ground to place a ladder on top of, do not climb it. A ladder standing on top of an uneven surface will significantly increase the chances of you falling. Hire a professional to hang decorations that are out of reach.
Mistake #4: Don’t Leave the Lights Up
At the end of the season, some homeowners will leave their lights up and just unplug them until next December. Leaving holiday lights up for the full year greatly increases their chances of becoming damaged, as constant exposure to the elements will wear them down. Take down all lights and decorations, and pack them up neatly in a secure, plastic container.
Are you constantly making these simple holiday decorating mistakes? Well, you can easily correct your ways! When you need additional exterior electrical outlets installed outside of your home, contact Lancaster Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (717) 207-8198.
