Are Your Holiday Decorations Naughty or Nice?

Homeowners don’t need to drill holes in their walls to deck the halls. One wrong move while hanging holiday lights can lead to thousands of dollars in damage. Window World’s new consumer education campaign can help local homeowners avoid a post-holiday headache.

Using nails or a staple gun to hang lights from a roof or gutters can create small holes, which lead to leaks. Also, fires from holiday decorations cause $13 million in property damage a year (NFPA).

“The holidays are already expensive, and homeowners don’t need to spend extra money fixing damage caused by decorations,” says Window World Chairman and CEO Tammy Whitworth. “Window World’s Naughty or Nice Holiday Decorations List helps people decorate safely and stylishly, allowing them to enjoy the holidays without worrying about what will happen when the decorations come down.”

Naughty or Nice Holiday Decorations List

Naughty: Hammers and drills

Nice: Adhesive clips, shingle tabs and gutter hooks

Ditch the drill and hang outdoor lights from adhesive clips, shingle tabs or gutter hooks. Adhesive clips work on smooth surfaces, like vinyl siding. Shingle tabs help position lights on top of your roof. Tip: You can get “S” – shaped gutter hooks at a home improvement store. Press the top half into the hook and string lights around the bottom half. Just make sure not to add too much weight to your gutters!

Naughty: Wax candles everywhere v. Nice: Battery-powered candlesticks

Place battery-powered candlesticks on your windowsills. Tip: Use a timer to set your candlesticks to turn on when the sun goes down. That way, when you arrive home from work, the house will be lit in a welcoming holiday light.

Naughty: Nails in the door v. Nice: Adhesive hooks to hold a wreath

You don’t need a hammer to hang a wreath on your door. Simply place a strong adhesive hook on the inside and tie twine around it. Then hang the twine over the door, tie it around the wreath and voila! A damage-free door! Tip: While you’re at it, check the weatherstripping around your door to make sure you don’t have any drafts that can suck the warm air out of your home.

Naughty: Hazardous Christmas tree v. Nice: Fire-resistant Christmas tree in a safe spot

 Many artificial trees are fire-resistant, which means they are less likely to burn. If you want a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree will stay green long into the holiday season. The branches will hold needles longer, and they won’t snap when you bend them. Tip: Place your tree away from heated sources, like a fireplace or vent, and avoid high-traffic areas.

Naughty: Forgetting window decorations v. Nice: Festive window décor

 Grab some colorful ornaments and ribbon. Tie one ribbon to each ornament and hang three or four of them in varying lengths from your curtain rods. Use plastic ornaments to avoid scratching your windows. You can also adhere festive star stickers to your windows to add some sparkle to your home. Tip: Clean your windows before placing adhesives on the glass and use a coffee filter when doing so to ensure a streak-free view.

Window World is a replacement window and exterior remodeling company, with more than 200 locally owned franchises nationwide. For more information, visit WindowWorld.com or call 1-800 NEXTWINDOW. For home improvement and energy efficiency tips, décor ideas and more, follow Window World on Facebook and Twitter.