Services: Holiday Decorating

For many homeowners, putting up decorations and trimming the tree are some of the most enjoyable traditions of the season. However, the addition of colorful ornaments and sparkling lights can quickly create potential safety hazards.

During November and December of each year, about 10,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms as a result of falls, cuts, shocks and burns related to holiday decorating.

According to a nationwide Angie’s List (www.angieslist.com) poll, 40 percent of poll respondents do not consider child safety when decorating for the holidays.

“While it’s important to be fun and festive this time of year it is also important for families to be aware of hidden dangers the holidays can bring,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List. “Every year the holiday decorations get more extravagant and houses these days have more difficult roof lines so it’s challenging to hang the lights and decorations yourself.”

Angie’s List, the nation’s leading provider of ratings and reviews of local service companies including holiday decorators, found that 80 percent of respondents would decorate their homes this holiday season. And 75 percent of Angie’s List members frown on neighbors who leave their holiday lights on well after the New Year.

“Exterior decorations left out too long after the holiday season will not only annoy your neighbors but can pose a fire hazard,” Hicks said. “Holiday lights are seasonal and should only be up for a limited time. If you’re crunched for time, or just too tired after the holidays, hire a professional to take your decorations down for you.”

Hicks, a mother of three, said when it comes to the holidays, there are many new and interesting ways for children to find danger and that it’s important for parents to take a look around their home from a child’s perspective.

“So much of childproofing is common sense,” adds Hicks. “Getting on your hands and knees and crawling around your home is actually a good idea. You’ll be surprised at the things you see from that angle.”

As you prepare your home for the holidays, Angie’s List identifies 7 potential hazards:

• Holiday trees: When buying an artificial tree, look for the label “fire resistant/retardant.” For a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green and the needles are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. Vacuum around your live tree every few days because the needles can cause painful cuts in the mouth if a child swallows them. Keep all trees away from heat sources.
• Trimming the tree: Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded materials, and it also might be the year to avoid using strings of garland, especially on low-hanging branches. Avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, and keep small or glass ornaments out of your child’s reach. Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt the child to put the object in his or her mouth.
• Lights: Check that your lights have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories or ETL Testing Laboratories. Only use lights that have fuses, and check each set of lights for broken, frayed or damaged parts. Hang them out of reach of small children. Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire. Cover electrical outlets, including those on power strips, to prevent children from sticking fingers or objects into the socket.
• Pay attention to plants: Mistletoe, holly, poinsettias, Jerusalem cherry plants, and other plants are commonly used as decorations during the holidays. Like many plants, these are considered potentially poisonous and should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.
• Candles: Children could knock candles over, creating a fire hazard. Never leave young children unattended around lit candles.
• Food and treats: All the candy, nuts and other served items often left out in the open can be choking hazard or food allergy.
• Childproof all homes: When visiting another person’s home during the holidays, don’t assume they have taken precautions to protect your children. Do a thorough inspection of the home and holiday décor to find any safety hazards before your child does.

If you’re planning to hire but can’t find a professional holiday decorator, check with local roofers, painters, window washers and landscapers. They often pull double duty during the holiday season and offer decorating help, too

Angie’s List has 6 do’s of hiring holiday decorating help.

1. How do they determine the price – by square foot or by the hour? How long do the decorations remain up?
2. Check that the decorator is insured to protect against any falls or accidents.
3. Meet in person and share ideas so no one is surprised or disappointed by the final design. Ask to see photos of other homes they’ve decorated to make sure their designs are in line with the style you want.
4. Find out if you’re required to purchase the lights and decorations on your own, or if the decorator will help. Is storage available?
5. What’s their maintenance policy – if a bulb or timer goes out, when will it be replaced?
6. Check rules and regulations. In you belong to a homeowner’s association, ask what decorations are allowed.

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Angie’s List is where thousands of consumers share their ratings and reviews on local contractors and companies in more than 425 different categories. Currently, 750,000 consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie’s List to help them find the right contractor or company for the job they need done. Members have unlimited access to the list via Internet or phone; receive the Angie’s List magazine, which includes articles on home improvement and maintenance, consumer trends and scam alerts; and they can utilize the Angie’s List complaint resolution service. Get more information about Angie’s List at http://www.angieslist.com Read Angie’s blog at http://www.angiehicksblog.com.