???Deck the Halls??? Safely: Christmas Decor Stresses Safety for the Holidays

(Franchise Buy) - By . Updated Nov 19, 2014

Media Contact: Kelly McNamara, Fishman Public Relations, (847) 945-1300, KMcNamara@fishmanpr.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Deck the Halls” Safely: Christmas Decor Stresses Safety for the Holidays

Leading Holiday and Event Decorating Company Educates Families on Proper Holiday Decorating

Lubbock, TX – ‘Tis the season to enjoy good times with family and friends. The holidays are marked by a wide range of traditions, and one of the most popular and enduring of these traditions is putting up holiday decorations. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, during the two months surrounding the holiday season, more than 15,000 people are treated annually in hospital emergency rooms due to injuries related to holiday decorating, and this number continues to rise.

As experts in the service industry, Christmas Decor specializes in professional holiday and event decorating, eliminating unnecessary accidents for residents nationwide. Its designers are professionally trained to execute lighting displays on high roofs, ladders, and in tricky situations. Christmas Decor installation crews come with extensive experience and use the utmost of care when decorating homes, without damaging moldings, roofing, or architectural elements.

“As a premiere holiday lighting and decorating company, it is our goal to remind home owners about holiday decorating safety tips,” said Brandon Stephens, President of Christmas Decor. “Education becomes critical for those planning on decorating on their own. One minor mistake can lead to a major injury and even death, turning the holidays from a time of celebration into a time of tragedy. We want families to be able to fully enjoy their holiday season in the safest way possible.”

Christmas Decor always recommends using a professional for holiday decorating because of injuries due to falling and electrocution, but provides the following tips to improve safe practices for residents adamant on doing it themselves:

• Use proper climbing equipment and follow protocol – In a survey conducted by the Home and Safety Council, 82 percent of consumers reported climbing on chairs, counters, shelves and other pieces of furniture when decorating for the holidays. Instead, invest in a sturdy and reliable ladder with slip-resistant feet that can adapt to different heights according to your needs. Secure ladders on even ground and remember to not stand above the top two steps of the ladder. According to the CDC, falls from ladders are ranked as the most common cause of holiday decorating related injuries. If you are decorating in tall spaces and using a ladder, have someone at the base to ensure it remains sturdy to avoid a fall.

• Don’t overload electrical circuits – Fires are caused by disrupting electricity. The probability for a fire diminishes when the circuits are not overloaded and fuses or circuit breaker panels are checked to find out what the home can handle. Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per extension cord and never plug more than two extension cords together.

• Keep extension cords tucked away – Many of holiday decorations require electricity to power them which creates a potential safety hazard. If extension cords are left in high foot traffic areas, they can cause decorators and others to trip and fall if they are not careful. It is best to tape down any ground-level extension cords and keep them tucked away and untangled to avoid any hazards. Any cords near water should be wrapped with plastic electrical tape to make them watertight, protecting against potential electrocutions. 

• Indoor or Outdoor? – The Home Safety Councils stresses that you check the color-coded UL (Underwriters Laboratories) mark on the product’s package if you are unsure whether the light strings are for indoor or outdoor use. A green holographic UL mark indicates indoor use only while a red indicates that the product is safe for both indoor and outdoor use.

Enjoy the holidays with your loved ones in a safe, risk-free environment. By taking the right steps to protect yourself and the people around you, you are setting the foundation for a safe and joyous holiday season.

About Christmas Decor

Since its inception in 1986, Christmas Decor has risen to become the premier holiday lighting and decorating company in North America. The Texas-based company was founded by Blake Smith as an off-season supplement to his landscape business and as a method to provide year-round work for employees. Christmas Decor quickly emerged as a viable business opportunity and today, operates in more than 375 markets in 48 states and Canada. Christmas Decor is highly revered in its field and has received consistent recognition for its efforts, including its popular Decorated Family Program which has been featured on The TODAY Show, TIME.com, CNN and FOX, among others. For more information, visit www.christmasdecor.net.

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