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Well, it’s official! October, the haunted season, is here and before we know it, it will be time for Christmas. People are already starting to decorate their homes in true haunted styles, and we at New Home Resource love to see how creative people can get. While decorating your home is great fun and the trick-or-treaters love being spooked-out on their candy-hunting adventures, it is important to be safe while doing it. Here are 5 things to remember when decorating your home for the holidays!

  1. Check all lights and electrical items for damage before using them for decorations. Look for exposed wires, cracking insulation, and discoloration. If they are damaged, it’s time to switch them out for new ones. Using damaged electrical goods can electrocute someone or start a fire, both of which can have severe consequences.
  2. Of course, homes are not designed with decorating the outside of the home in mind, so many of us use extension cords. Invest in quality and heavy duty extension cords that can handle the wattage of the electrical goods into which you’ll be plugging. Using light duty ones can cause fires if you overload and overuse them. Don’t run cords across doorways, under rugs or carpet, or use staples to pin them to the wall. Instead,  use cord clips to run them around doorways and along walls.
  3. With the Fall season comes the delicious pumpkin, cinnamon, and other Fall inspired scented candles that we all look forward to. While we are all tempted to light them all over the house, be careful about where you leave them as they can be a fire hazard if lit near flammable materials, or left on an unstable surface. If you leave the room, be sure to blow out all of the candles.
  4. If you’re going to go all-out and decorate the entire house from top to bottom, it’s important to use proper equipment and safety tools. Drainpipes are not meant to hold the weight of a human being, so make sure you use a ladder, and have someone hold it steady to avoid both you and the ladder toppling over.
  5. Lastly, ensure that your porch and front yard are lit appropriately with the path way clear for trick-or-treaters. The last thing you want is for your neighbor’s children dressed in their spooky outfits to trip in your front yard.

So have fun, embrace the holiday season, and be safe!

If you’re looking for a new home or wanting to sell your current one, contact a NEW HOME RESOURCE professional Realtor® today at 702-365-1000. Joanna Piette, Denise Moreno Thrasher, Evelyn “Beng” Kern, Jessica O’Brien and Lance Partin are at your service!.