Lighting up the holidays safely

When it comes to seasonal decor you need to switch up safety measures

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The past two years have been challenging for everyone, and this holiday season, you may have the urge to go over the top with lights and festive decorations, but no matter how you decide to decorate, make sure you light up this season safely.

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If you are thinking of making your home more festive this year by adding exterior lights and decor, ensure you use exterior grade lights and that they are certified for wet areas. Also, make sure that you replace broken or missing bulbs as this can cause shocks or fires. Use LED bulbs as they produce a much lower heat output. You’ll probably require some extension cords, so make sure they are UL standard sealed and rated for outdoor use. Also, be cautious of the number of light sets in a chain. Whether you use LED or incandescent lights, keep in mind that with each connection the current increases. Check the manufacturer’s restrictions, but generally, don’t link more than three sets of lights in a chain. Also when using extension cords, it is suggested that you keep connection junctions off the ground and away from puddles, snow and ice. You can also use light stakes to keep cords off the ground but make sure the area is well lit and does not become a tripping hazard.

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I can’t talk about outdoor lighting and decorations without mentioning ladder safety. Always have a spotter, and it’s advisable to use a wooden or fibreglass ladder as metal ones could cause shocks — remember, metal is a conductor of electricity. However, if you are going on the roof, make sure you use a fall arrest harness, but honestly, there are professionals that can help. They have the proper equipment and experience to get the job done right, especially if you plan to light any big trees on your property.

If you’re looking for a solution to lighting your house exterior, I suggest installing multi-event LED lighting. It will change your exterior home’s decorative lighting forever. The best thing about this type of lighting is that once set up, the lights stay in place, and you will never have to change bulbs or get up on a ladder again, or at least for a very long time. The lights can be programmed in an infinite number of colour and pattern combinations (over 16 million on an RGB scale to be precise). So your home can look elegant with white light or colour-themed for Valentines, Halloween, and Christmas — any celebration, or no lights at all. All can be programmed with smart technology and a Wi-Fi connection so that you can control the lights through an App, voice control, or a remote.

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All homes must have at least one outdoor GFCI protection receptacle at the front and rear of the house. They must be readily accessible and no more than six-and-a-half feet above the ground and have a weatherproof or in-use cover. CFGI receptacles prevent electrocution and shock, and are used where there is the potential to be in contact with water. And finally, protect all of the valuable decorations inside your home from power outages with a whole home surge protector that goes right on your electrical panel.

If you plan to be away over the coming holidays or plan to do a lot of local travelling visiting family and friends, make sure your home isn’t an advertisement for unwanted guests. Give yourself some peace of mind, during this hectic season, by investing in some app-controlled Wi-Fi light switches that are scheduled to switch on while you’re away. With smart lighting, you can access everything remotely and change up when they turn on.

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Also, before you are inundated with family and friends visiting this season, take a look around your property and look for potential tripping hazards. When the snow comes (and it will come), be sure to keep walkways clear and well-lit and have your shovel, the snow blower and de-icer readily available.

Be prepared for the unexpected this holiday season and consider getting a portable or standby generator to keep the holiday lights and festivities alive. Remember always run your portable generator outside, far away from people and buildings. If you have a standby generator, then you may not even notice you’ve lost power as the power seamlessly switches over to the generator until regular power is restored.

I’m getting super excited about this holiday season, especially since I have one more grandchild to spoil! And, let’s face it we all deserve some excitement and good times, based on the past two years. Whether deciding to decorate your home or celebrate the coming festive season, make sure you keep safety in mind.

Follow Mike Holmes on social (Facebook, instagram and twitter) for more holiday home safety and maintenance tips.

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