Its that time of year to start decorating for the change of seasons and the holidays! From pumpkins to pilgrims and fall leaves followed right behind with sparkling lights, mistletoe, garland and trees. Your home will probably be undergoing a few transformations in the next few weeks and if you are a Do-It-Yourself decorator, here some great tips and items used for decorating that will help keep you and your family safe and from damaging your home this season.

First of all, safety is most important before you start hanging, stringing and placing  your decorations. Always check your lights for broken or cracked bulbs or sockets and inspect wires for frays or loose connections. Make sure that outdoor lights say on the label “for outdoor use”. Make sure that your power source, breakers and extension cords are able to take the voltage so you won’t have any shortages.

LED lights will help you save a ton on your electric bill. Buying all new LED lights may be expensive but replacing your old light strands as they quit working every year could be more economical.

Always remember to make sure that your ladder is level and secured by bungees before climbing up to decorate your roof.

Decorating Outside: You may want to string lights or wreaths on the outside of your home without punching holes in your siding. Look for stainless steel ‘no-hole hooks’ at your local home improvement center, that clip into and under your siding verses nailing holes.

When decorating your roof and edges, do not nail or staple lights. Bad idea. Holes are ugly and become water intrusion points that could create a rotten roof decking in time. There are Eave Clips that are available that can hook to the fascia of your home without damaging the roof.

Decorating Inside. When hanging up wall décor such as wreaths, seasonal paintings, lights and stockings, use the sticky-backed hooks (3M Command Strips) that come in all sizes and strengths that will support your decorations without making a hole. After the holidays are over, they can be taken down by carefully peeling the tab.

When purchasing your tree and decorations, make sure that they are fire-resistant. If you go with a live tree, check it for freshness and water daily. A fresh tree is very green and the needles are difficult to pull off of the branches. Always place your tree away from your fireplace or heater and out of the way of traffic.

Following these tips for your decorating this holiday season, will help ensure that you have are safe and happy while protecting your biggest investment, your home.