Make your apartment festive for the holidays safely and simply
There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than decorating your apartment home.
You don’t need to deck the halls with boughs of holly to show your spirit. Many creative decorating ideas are easy, safe and fun.
One simple way to make your home festive is by stringing lights inside or outside your apartment. Many apartment dwellers with a balcony or patio can securely string the lights outside their unit. Get approval from your apartment management before hanging lights to ensure it is safe and allowed.
To avoid distracting or disturbing your neighbors, set your lights to turn off automatically early in the evening.
According to the National Fire Association, fire departments nationwide respond to an estimated 780 house fires annually due to holiday decorations. Forty-four percent of those fires are due to a decoration being too close to a heat source, such as a candle.
If you choose to string lights inside your home, take a few steps to avoid decorating dangers, including fire.
First, be strategic about the location of the lights. It is imperative to avoid hanging the lights near curtains or any objects that could potentially catch fire. Another way to protect your home from a potential fire is to invest in a surge protector.
No time to hang lights? You can still add a festive glow to your home with
LED, self-timed candles. These are safe, easy and charming.
Spread your holiday cheer with your neighbors by hanging a wreath on your door. To avoid damage from nails, use an easy-to-remove adhesive hook to hang the wreath. It is just as easy to put up as it is to take down when the season is over.
If you’re one to decorate a tree for the holidays, you can alleviate the hassle and mess of a real tree by using alternatives. Hang festive garland inside your apartment home or put artificial pine branches in a vase to add the nostalgic elements of a tree.
It is easy to get carried away by the season, so be strategic and safe when decorating. Minimize your chances of fire and always abide by your apartment community’s rules. This season, make sure you know what your limitations are and be respectful of your neighbors.
There are many simple ways to prep your space for the season without causing damage. Give one of these stressand mess-free holiday decorating ideas a try.
Courtney Gilstrap LeVinus is president and CEO of the Arizona Multihousing Association, the statewide trade association for the apartment industry.