The holiday decorating season is right around the corner, and it is important to decorate safely to ensure your holidays remain accident-free.

Ladder safety 

If you are stringing lights around your home, pay attention to the following ladder safety tips:

• Do not decorate alone, have a family or friend help stabilize the ladder. 
• Follow your ladder’s instructions and warning labels.
• Check your ladder before climbing it for any damage. 
• Place the ladder on level ground, do not try to stabilize it using rocks.
• Maintain three points of contact with the ladder and do not overextend/stretch.

Fire prevention 

Holiday lights can be a fire hazard if not handled correctly. Keep the following tips in mind to prevent fires this holiday season:

• Inspect all lights, decorations, and extension cords for damage before using. 
• Turn off and unplug decorative lights before leaving the house and going to bed.
• Avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many lights or decorations to decrease the chance of electrical fires.
• Monitor candles, and keep all decorations at least 3 feet away from candles and heating equipment.
• Test your smoke detectors and alarms and have a fire extinguisher in your home in case of emergency.

By following these holiday decorating safety tips, you can enjoy a delightful holiday with family and friends, without compromising on safety!