Holiday Decorating Safety Tips for Your Home

Decorating for the holidays is one of the best parts of the season. It's also one of the leading causes of residential fires during November and December. Here's how to keep your home safe while still making it festive.

Check your lights before you hang them

Inspect every strand for frayed wires, broken sockets, or cracked insulation before plugging anything in. Discard damaged strands — don't try to repair them with tape.

Don't overload outlets

Plugging too many decorations into a single outlet or power strip is a fire hazard. Use a heavy-duty outdoor extension cord rated for the load you're running, and don't daisy-chain multiple extension cords.

Use outdoor-rated lights outside

Indoor lights are not weatherproofed. Using them outside — even in Florida's mild December weather — creates shock and fire risk.

Turn lights off when you leave or sleep

Most holiday decoration fires happen when no one is home or everyone is asleep. A simple timer eliminates this risk entirely.

Watch candles carefully

Real candles are the leading cause of holiday fires. Keep them away from decorations, curtains, and anything flammable. Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Have your electrical panel inspected

The holiday season adds significant electrical load to your home. If your panel is more than 20 years old, an inspection before the season starts is a smart precaution. Air & Energy's licensed electricians (License #EC13011350) serve all of Manatee County. Call (941) 778-0773.