10 Safety Tips for Your DIY Christmas Decorations

The Christmas season has arrived once again and many Filipinos are using their creativity to decorate their homes. For many, Christmas home decorating is a special activity where the entire family can contribute to making the home as festive as possible just in time for the celebrations. While it is customary for Filipinos to purchase the classic parol to give their home a familiar, Christmas look, DIY-ing Christmas decorations is also a popular choice that many people consider. 

From a simple paper mache nativity scene to create electrical Christmas lanterns, there are many ideas for DIYers who want to try their hand at creating their own Christmas decorations However, there are a few safety and health precautions to consider, especially if the decorations involve potentially dangerous materials like sharp objects, chemical binding agents, or items that can act as a conduit for electricity. DIYing Christmas decorations is a fun activity for the family, but safety should always be observed. In this article, we will discuss 10 safety tips that every homeowner should remember when DIYing their own Christmas decorations. 

1. Avoid adding candles to the decorations. 

Image from Deputy & Mitzell

Candles are a necessary item in many religious celebrations. During Christmas, candles can be seen on the advent wreath, or lit on a mantle during prayer. However, it is important to remember that candles are mostly used for ceremonial, and they should not be permanently added to Christmas decorations if they are constantly lit. 

2. Never use a stapler or nails to attach your Christmas lights.

Image from Arrow Fasteners

Using staples or nails to permanently create a scar on your home is not ideal for installing your own Christmas decorations. Instead, use an adhesive hook or clips when attaching Christmas decorations to your home.

3. Don’t let children use tiny and sharp materials.

Image from Care.com

A precautionary measure applicable for any situation, it is always necessary to keep choking hazard materials and sharp objects away from children when DIYing Christmas decorations. This also includes glitter, pencils, metal rulers, wood glue, and other materials that may be dangerous to the health. 

4. Thoroughly clean natural materials.

Image from eestectirana.com

Reusing old Christmas decorations to DIY a new one is not just a good way to save a few pesos, but it is also sustainable and reduces your holiday trash. However, some people prefer to use natural materials such as wood, stone, and leaves found in nature to create their authentic designs. When using these items, it is important to thoroughly clean them with water to remove any pests that may enter the home. 

5. Consider using a GFCI outlet for your exterior and interior electrical decorations.

Image from The Spruce

A GFCI, also known as a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, is designed to prevent electrical shocks. When decorating your home for the holidays, it is always ideal to use a GFCI outlet to reduce the risk of electrical shocks, especially in exterior electrical Christmas decorations that may be affected by unpredictable weather conditions. 

6. Arrange your wirings.

Image from Good Housekeeping

Apart from being a necessary step to reduce the risk of electrical shocks, tripping, and choking hazards, arranging the wirings from your Christmas decorations is ideal to prevent accidents that may cause a fire. Make sure to allocate a specific area where wirings can be placed in an orderly manner. This is not only a safety tip, but it will also make wire identification easier. 

7. Never overload a plug or an extension cord. 

Image from Flickr

Another holiday safety tip, avoid overloading an outlet or an extension cord with your electrical Christmas decorations. Plugging too many Christmas decorations, especially homemade ones, into a single outlet or an extension cord that cannot provide the load can lead to overheating, damage to the items plugged, or fire. 

8. Use LED bulbs.

Image from Jardin-media

LED bulbs produce light without generating much heat, which significantly reduces the risk of burning or fire. They are also great materials for DIY projects due to their durability and resistance to breakage. In addition to these, LED lights come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, which make them useful for creating Christmas decorations. 

9. Turn off electrical Christmas decorations if nobody is at home. 

Image from The Times

Another precautionary measure applicable for many situations, turning off electrical Christmas decorations when nobody is there to supervise is ideal for ensuring the safety of your home. This safety tip is also applicable when the residents of the home are sleeping to reduce fire hazards and increase a homeowner’s peace of mind. 

10. Always remove the decorations after the celebrations. 

Image from Caring Transitions

While the decision is truly up to the personal preference homeowner, taking down Christmas decorations after the holiday celebrations can reduce the threat of dangling and extending decorations, as well as the threat of fire from unsupervised or overheating electrical Christmas decorations. 

A Safe And Festive Christmas Season

Christmas in the Philippines is extra special. Apart from the extended period of celebration, iconic decorations line up the streets and inside the Filipino home. Whether you are purchasing your decorations or DIYing them at home, it is important to observe safety precautions at all times when creating, installing, or activating them. Follow these safety tips for a safe and joyous Christmas celebration.

References

• Biermeier, D. (2023, October 17). 10 Christmas Safety Tips for the Holiday Season. Retrieved November 21, 2023, from https://www.angi.com/articles/christmas-lights-safety-tips.htm
• Rands, A. (2022, November 28). 10 Christmas Light Safety Tips for Hanging Lights on Your Roof. EcoWatch. Retrieved November 21, 2023, from https://www.ecowatch.com/christmas-light-safety.html