Decorating for the Holidays? Don’t be a ‘Clark Griswold’
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- If you haven’t gotten your Christmas lights up yet but still plan to decorate, don't pull a Clark Griswold. Falling from a ladder or getting zapped by a Christmas bulb might be funny in the movie, but you don’t want it to actually happen to you.
It's important to keep in mind some safety measures when putting up those Christmas lights.
You want to make sure you inspect electrical decorations. Be sure to check that the circuitry is in good shape and check for any nicks or cuts in the cable, damaged bulbs, and faulty sockets. By inspecting your equipment, you can protect your home from any sparks or fires that can occur from light damage.
Use precautions on a ladder or roof, be sure your ladder is in working order and is the correct height for use outside of your home. Check your roof to ensure everything is stable and in good shape before climbing on top and avoid stretching to ensure stability and balance.
Shawn Brewer, the Christmas Decor Manager with Timberline, says the biggest thing you need to prepare for is the weather.
“Your ladder can be in great shape but if its slippery out or icy out a great ladder is not going to help you out at all. You are still putting yourself in danger of falling off the ladder,” said Brewer.
Along with making sure it isn’t icy, be sure to dress appropriately when hanging your lights to limit further exposure to cold or severe weather.
And last but not least, Brewer says it's important to know your limits.
“Some houses are just thrown up there to the point where maybe they were uneasy? So that’s the big thing, just know your limits.”
And if you don't want to put up lights yourself this year, Timberline has put up an interactive map online showing where all the Christmas lights are in town.
