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Editor’s Picks

Holiday Lights 101: How to Safely Decorate Your Home’s Exterior
Decorating your home with twinkling holiday lights is a festive way to spread cheer during the holiday season. However, while dazzling displays look beautiful, they can pose safety hazards if not installed and maintained properly. Here’s your guide to safely decorating your home’s exterior with holiday lights, ensuring a magical display without unnecessary risks. 1. Choose the Right Lights for Outdoor Use Not all holiday lights are created equal. Ensuring you use the correct type of lights for exterior decorating is essential for safety and durability. 2. Inspect Lights Before Installation Before hanging your lights, inspect them for wear and...
Fireplace Safety Tips for the Holidays: Keep the Cozy Without the Risk
A crackling fireplace adds warmth and charm to holiday gatherings, but it’s essential to prioritize safety to avoid accidents or fire hazards. With some simple precautions and mindful practices, you can enjoy your fireplace safely while keeping your home cozy and festive. Here are practical fireplace safety tips for the holidays. 1. Schedule a Chimney Inspection and Cleaning Before lighting your first fire of the season, ensure your fireplace and chimney are clean and in good condition. A professional chimney sweep can help prevent creosote buildup, which is a leading cause of chimney fires. 2. Use the Right Fuel Not...
Protecting Your Pipes from Freezing During the Holidays
The holidays often bring cold weather, and frozen pipes can be an unwelcome surprise in the middle of your celebrations. When water inside pipes freezes, it expands, increasing the risk of burst pipes and costly damage. Luckily, with some preventive measures, you can keep your pipes safe and ensure a stress-free holiday season. Here’s how to protect your pipes from freezing. 1. Insulate Exposed Pipes Pipes located in unheated areas, such as basements, attics, garages, or crawl spaces, are the most vulnerable to freezing. 2. Let Faucets Drip Allowing a small, steady trickle of water to flow through your faucets...