The holiday season has arrived and many of us are in decoration mode. All of these fun holiday decorations really do brighten our homes and neighborhoods. However, it is important to decorate with some caution, in order to protect your home and family from a potential holiday accident. Here are a few tips to make decorating your home for holidays safer 1. Inspect your holiday lights before going through the process of hanging them

Everyone loves holiday lights! They’re festive, bright and available in so many different fun colors, but it’s important to inspect each strand you use for frayed wires or loosened bulbs that could pose a fire hazard.

2. Remember to turn off your lights overnight

It’s tempting to leave those cheery lights on all night long but it’s best to let those lights rest. Plus, leaving that many lights on around the clock will leave you with an unpleasant surprise in January when you open your power bill.

3. Ensure that your lights are secure

Loose lights are a serious tripping hazard. Especially for small children or pets.

4. Use ribbon not wire hooks

If you have small children in your home, those wire hooks on your ornaments can be really dangerous. Instead, swap those hooks out for some festive ribbon or string.

5. Spring for the shatterproof ornaments

This is another tip for homes with children and/or pets (or clumsy adults). Glass ornaments are fragile and will likely break if they fall from the tree. And the last thing you want is broken glass everywhere.

6. Bells are a great defense

 Holiday bells on your tree not only make great decorations but they’re also a brilliant warning system if little hands or paws get too close to the tree.

7. Little mouths require larger ornaments

Pets and small kids sometimes can’t resist grabbing a hold of colorful objects and popping them in their mouths. That’s why it’s wise to spring for larger ornaments.

8. Be smart when using candles

Candles unquestionably add a little extra holiday flare. Just remember to be smart and never leave them unattended.

9. Don’t use a ladder by yourself

Ladders can be dangerous and you never want to use them to hang decorations unless someone is with you, just in case.

10. Choose your tree wisely

If you’re opting for a real tree this year, you’ll want to ensure to pick one that’s not a dried out fire hazard. Look for a tree with green, healthy needles are that harder to remove. Check the trunk and make sure it’s sticky to the touch. Give the tree a good shake or bounce on the ground, if a lot of needles fall, the tree is dried out.

11. Use caution when decorating around the fireplace

Don’t place the tree or other decorations too close to the fireplace. And when decorating the fireplace, make sure that your stockings, garland and other decorations are hanging high and away from the flames.

12. Use electricity wisely (Bonus holiday lights tips)

On average each year there are 150 House fires caused by holiday lights.

• Never link more than three strands of lights together
• If your wires become warm to the touch, unplug them immediately
• Don’t leave your home with your lights still on
• Don’t use a cracked or damaged wall socket
• Do contact a professional electrician to have an electrical audit performed, to ensure that your home is ready for all of your holiday decorating fun!
• To learn more about holiday electrical safety call us at 1.888.9TIGER4 or feel free to check us out online at TrustTiger.com.