How To Safely Remove And Store Holiday Decorations

The holidays have come and gone. The leftovers have run out and homeowners are in the process of putting away all the festive trimmings for another year. As a result, many Illinois residents are braving the cold temperatures to remove exterior decorations, and one local contractor wants to ensure that they're not putting themselves, or their homes, at risk.

Opal enterprises Inc. is offering residents these important tips for the safe removal and storage of holiday decorations.

Your Own Safety is Paramount

The arctic chill this time of year makes everything more challenging, which is why it's of even more importance that homeowners protect themselves during the often awkward task of removing holiday decorations. Here are three important safety tips:

·         Dress appropriately - It can be tempting to dress for comfort or ease of movement, but having to move a bit slower is a small price to pay for preventing windburn or frostbite. Make sure that hands and feet are well protected as these are the first areas that will experience adverse effects from the cold.

·         Use the proper equipment - Before venturing outside, be sure to assemble all the tools needed for the job. Have any tools handy and be sure to use proper safety precautions if utilizing ladders or step stools. Reaching, jumping or hanging are not recommended safe practices.

·         Ask for help - Minimizing the amount of time spent outside should be a priority, so enlist the help of a family member of friend to help get everything taken down as quickly, and safely, as possible.

Take Your Time

While it's tempting to rush the process, holiday decorations should be removed with care and attention to detail in order to both do so safely and prevent damage to the home or the decorations themselves. Residents should abide by these rules:

·         Don't pull on light strands

·         Don't rush if working on ladders or the roof

·         Make sure all electrical components are unplugged before removing

·         Be sure all decorations are dry before storing

Storing Decorations Properly

The final step in the process, storing holiday supplies, is perhaps the most important for ensuring that everything is in working order next year. There are a few key measures that can be taken to keep decorations safe while stored.

·         Keep boxes - There's no better place to store decorations than in the boxes they came in. Packaging is used to keep them safe during transport and will do the same during storage.

·         Use winders for lights to avoid damage, tangles or shorts - Light tangles can be one of the more frustrating parts of the holiday season. To avoid them altogether consider using cord winders to store strands rather than wrapping or bunching them up.

·         Keep everything together - Things will be much easier next year if everything is stored together. Utilize and label large plastic bins or boxes to keep everything in one place.

·         Store in a dry place out of direct sunlight - Sunlight can cause decorations to fade and lights to lose their intensity, but prolonged exposure to moisture can completely destroy many decorations, even those designed for the outdoors. Make sure your storage location is damp free.

Opal Enterprises Inc. hopes that everyone in Darien and the surrounding communities had a safe and happy holiday season. Contact them today for any of your exterior home improvement needs.

http://www.opalenterprises.net/siding-darien/