Holiday Decorating Safety

What is Holiday Decorating Safety?

A 52-year-old homeowner in Minneapolis was standing on the top rung of a six-foot stepladder while stapling garland along his front porch fascia when the ladder shifted on a patch of ice he had not noticed. He fell sideways, striking the porch railing with his ribs before landing on the frozen concrete walkway below. The fall fractured two ribs and dislocated his shoulder, requiring surgery and eight weeks of physical therapy. His wife said he had refused her suggestion to wait until the weekend when temperatures would be above freezing and the ice would melt.

Holiday decorating safety is the practice of planning and executing seasonal decoration projects in ways that prevent falls, electrical incidents, and fire hazards. It applies to both interior and exterior displays and covers everything from ladder use to candle placement.

Key Components

1. Ladder Safety and Fall Prevention

• Inspect your ladder for bent rails, cracked rungs, and loose hardware before each use during the decorating season
• Place the ladder on firm, level ground and never on ice, wet leaves, or uneven surfaces that could cause shifting
• Maintain three points of contact at all times -- two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand -- while reaching to hang decorations
• Never stand on the top two rungs of a stepladder or lean sideways beyond the rails to extend your reach

2. Electrical Safety for Decorations

• Plug all outdoor decorations into outlets protected by ground fault circuit interrupters to prevent shock from moisture exposure
• Check the amperage rating on each circuit you plan to use and calculate the total draw of your display to avoid overloading
• Use outdoor-rated extension cords for exterior displays and keep all connections elevated off the ground or protected with weatherproof covers
• Replace any cord or light string that feels warm to the touch after 30 minutes of operation, as heat indicates excessive resistance

3. Fire Hazard Awareness

• Keep lit candles at least 12 inches from any decoration, curtain, garland, or combustible surface
• Switch to battery-operated LED candles for displays near greenery, mantels, and windowsills where real flames pose ignition risks
• Ensure that decorations do not cover or block smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, or heating vents
• Store flammable packing materials, boxes, and tissue paper away from heat sources immediately after unpacking decorations

Building Your Safety Mindset

1. Plan Before You Climb

   • Sketch out your display layout on paper and determine every attachment point before setting up any ladder
   • Gather all clips, hooks, extension cords, and tools you will need so you are not climbing up and down repeatedly
   • Check the weather forecast and postpone outdoor work if rain, wind above 15 mph, or freezing temperatures are expected

2. Work with a Partner Whenever Possible

   • Have someone hold the base of the ladder steady and hand up decorations so you can keep both hands free for balance
   • Use a spotter when working on rooftops who can call for help immediately if a fall occurs
   • Divide tasks so that one person focuses on high work while the other handles ground-level connections and layout

3. Inspect the Finished Display Before Celebrating

   • Walk around the completed display at night and check for hot spots, flickering connections, or cords under tension
   • Verify that all pathways, exits, and stairways remain clear and unobstructed by decorations or cords
   • Test all timers and automatic shutoffs to confirm they turn the display off at the scheduled time

Discussion Points

1. How should you decide whether a decorating task is safe to do yourself or requires hiring a professional with proper equipment?
2. What conversation should family members have before decorating to assign tasks based on physical ability and comfort with heights?
3. How can communities encourage safe decorating practices without discouraging the festive spirit that brings neighborhoods together?

Action Steps

• Inspect your ladder for damage and practice safe placement on the surface where you will use it
• Test all GFCI outlets you plan to use for outdoor decorations and replace any that fail to trip properly
• Replace real candles near combustible decorations with battery-operated LED alternatives
• Complete a walk-through of your finished display to check for tripping hazards, hot cords, and blocked exits