Winter brings with it a drop in temperatures, shorter days, and more precipitation, most of which aren’t appealing to most people. And yet, it also brings that magical time of year, the holiday season.
For many, the holidays are the best part of winter, and people love to show off their love for them with decorations. There’s nothing like seeing the darkness brightened up with Christmas lights or a well-decorated home to make you feel merry and bright.
Some people like to keep their decorations simple, while others prefer to go all out. Either way, while putting up holiday decorations, there’s a chance of doing damage to our homes, something no one wants to do.
That doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t decorate, though. For those who love to deck the halls, there are many ways to decorate your home without causing any unintended damage, which is a win-win in our books!
Read on to learn the best tips for decorating without damaging this holiday season.
Windows
There are several decorations that are commonly put on doors and window frames, stuck to windows or hung near windows. After you’ve gotten new doors and windows in Ottawa, the last thing you want to do is damage them in any way.
It’s important not to use screws on window frames or directly around windows or doors, as this can damage their performance. If you want to hang something in front of your windows, use hooks with suction cups or a removable self-adhesive hook above the frame. If you have a curtain rod and are hanging a light decoration, you can use clear fishing line or ribbons to have decorations float perfectly in front of your window. The clear fishing line trick works for hanging a wreath on your front door as well.
Fire Safety
Candles and fireplaces are big parts of Christmas as they provide warmth and ambiance. But they are also fire hazards. Stockings hung on a mantle can catch a spark, a candle can catch on a curtain or another decoration, and real candles used to decorate a Christmas tree can easily start a fire.
You don’t have to have a fire free Christmas, but have fire safety in mind. Avoid keeping anything flammable near a fire. If you hang stockings on the mantle, remove them whenever you light a fire. If you love the look of candles in a tree, use electric ones instead. Also, be sure to keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
Exterior Decorations
For exterior decorations, make sure everything is intended for outdoor use. That includes extension cords, lights, ornaments, and adhesives. If you use things not intended to be used outdoors, the snow, ice or rain can significantly damage them and could cause an electrical failure or fire.
Electrical cords should be checked to ensure there are no frayed or broken wires, and care should be taken to avoid overloading the breaker. For one extension cord, use a maximum of three standard size sets of lights.
For Christmas lights, always have someone with you if you are up on a ladder or the roof, and be aware of ladder safety practices. Don’t overreach or extend yourself, and don’t make holes in your home. Use adhesive clips, shingle clips or gutter hooks to hang things and secure them in place.
Christmas Tree
Take care when setting up your tree to avoid scratching walls, floors, or windows. Keep the tree away from the fireplace and heating vents, as artificial and real trees are flammable. This is especially true for dried-out real trees, so ensure yours has plenty of water. If you are purchasing a new artificial tree, choose one with a fire-resistant label.
You should also choose a location for your tree that is a low traffic area. Keep it away from hallways and doorways.
Plants
There are some festive holiday flowers and plants that can help bring about the Christmas spirit, but care should be taken when choosing ones to bring home, as there are some that can be harmful to pets and humans. Poinsettias are poisonous to pets, so if you use them for decorations, make sure they are out of reach. Plants like holly, firethorn and mistletoe can be dangerous when ingested by animals and humans, so ensure pets and children can’t get to them.
