Holiday Light Safety Tips: The Do’s and Don’ts of DIY Decor

November 8, 2021

In 1976 All American Turf Beauty was the first company in Iowa to offer programmed lawn care. The company founders literally invented and developed the industry in Iowa. Get a beautiful weed-free lawn with our professional lawn care services!

For millions of people, decorating their home for the holidays is a beloved tradition. Festive lights, shiny ornaments, and warm seasonal scents can come together to create a welcoming atmosphere that even Scrooge himself would enjoy! 

However, behind the breathtaking outdoor light displays and colorful decorations, there are some sobering statistics when it comes to safety. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about 200 people get decorating-related injuries every day during the holiday season. In 2018, for instance, approximately 17,500 patients were treated in the ER after trying to install seasonal decor around their homes.

To avoid these calamities completely, you can always hire a pro to decorate your house, or even install permanent holiday lighting. If you’d prefer to DIY, keep these key safety tips in mind to make sure your home will look merry and bright all season long.

DON’T: Forget about risks to pets and children.

Those string lights around the base of your Christmas tree might look pretty, but how easily could your dog, cat, or 2-year-old nephew grab them? Child- or pet-proofing your home for the holidays might not be your main priority, but it can save you and your guests a lot of trouble in the long run. Keep fragile decorations and string lights up high, try to put extension cords in low-traffic areas, and have some safe toys around for little ones to play with instead of your treasured holiday decor.

DO: Replace old lights.

Even if those old string lights still work, they might lack the electric safety standards set by the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL). They could pose a serious fire hazard, especially if they’re traditional incandescent lights. Modern LED lights stay cool to the touch, and, as a bonus, one broken bulb won’t affect the other lights on the strand. 

If you don’t want to use LED lights, at least opt for smaller bulbs. Large, vintage-style bulbs can sometimes emit enough warmth to ignite dry Christmas trees, curtains, wrapping paper, or other common holiday items. 

DON’T: Use indoor lights outside.

Some lights are suitable for both outdoor and indoor use, but other string lights are designed specifically for one or the other. Outdoor lights may be used inside, but you should never put indoor lights around the exterior of your home. Indoor lights simply aren’t equipped to handle freezing cold temperatures, snow, ice, or strong winds. They might be cheaper, but they probably won’t last the season outdoors.

When you’re installing outdoor lights, remember to use weather-resistant extension cords as well. Standard extension cords can easily break or crack in sub-zero temperatures. Furthermore, never attach more than three strands of lights together or overload your extension cords. 

DO: Use the right equipment.

If you’re planning to string Christmas lights around your house, put down the nails, standard office staples, or any other item that could pierce the cords. Instead, opt for UL-approved clips that will safely keep your lights aloft without running the risk of breaking the cords or your roof. Outdoor-safe Command hooks or U-shaped electrical staples can also do the trick.

To minimize the risk of electric shock, it’s also recommended to use a non-metal ladder while installing lights. Also, as a reminder, always unplug the decorations before attempting to replace a lightbulb or fix a string of lights. 

DON’T: Leave your lights on unattended.

Most Christmas lights are seasonal decorations for a reason; they’re not meant to be kept on for weeks at a time leading up to your big holiday celebration. Whether you’re going to bed or running to the store, take a few seconds to switch off the lights. If you’re used to leaving the lights on or often forget to turn them off, investing in a light timer can be a great option. These handy devices can automatically turn your lights on when it gets dark outside and then off when you head off to sleep for the night.

DO: Ask for help.

Falls are among the most common decorating-related accidents that ER doctors see during the holiday season. You can protect yourself and avoid a trip to the hospital by simply asking for help installing decorations. For instance, ask someone to hold the ladder if you’re hanging lights around your roof. Remember that most people would be happy to help spruce up the house for Christmas (especially if bribed with cookies after the decorations are set up!). 

If you want your home to look picture-perfect for Christmas but can’t stand heights or fumbling around with lights in the cold weather, All American Turf Beauty can help! Our lighting pros can get your house decked out with beautiful seasonal or permanent lights while you stay cozy indoors. 

Guarantee of Satisfaction

Our services are guaranteed!

If you are not completely satisfied with an All American Turf Beauty application to your lawn, we will re-apply the application at no additional cost and continue the regular lawn treatment program. Alternately, we will fully refund your cost for the application and cancel any further obligation on your part.

To qualify for the guarantee, you must call All American Turf Beauty within 30 days of application.

Our goal at All American Turf Beauty, Inc. is a simple one:

To provide you with the highest quality products and methods available.

We offer every kind of service that it takes to develop and maintain a beautiful lawn in Iowa based on the climate, soil types, and the varieties of grass that are commonly grown here.

One of the keys to the success of the program is that we provide treatment to lawns approximately every 8 weeks throughout the growing season. This ensures that the grass has fertilizer (food) available throughout the growing season. Dandelions and other Broadleaf weeds are controlled as they germinate thus enabling a weed free lawn, and our Turf Specialist is at the property four to six times per season to address problems as and when they arise.

Another key to our service is our people. The most important person to you in our company is the Turf Specialist assigned to treat your lawn.

We are proud to say that our Turf Specialists are the best trained and most experienced in the lawn care industry.

When you become a customer at All American Turf Beauty, a Turf Specialist is assigned to your account. You will have the same person treating your lawn each time. It is their responsibility to service your lawn, make sure it is receiving the correct applications as scheduled, and to provide you with the best personalized service possible. Their jobs depend on it.

We have several programs to choose from. Your Turf Specialist will recommend the best program that fits the needs of your lawn and your budget.

lawn-service-results
lawn1
Safe-Lawn-3-1

Licensed, Certified, and Insured!

Get the Best Lawn Care Service in Iowa

All American Turf Beauty provides complete services ranging from lawn care to Christmas lighting. We are dedicated to making your yard and home look its best. Let us do the work, so you can enjoy your home and the things that matter the most to you.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.