Hanging holiday lights should be accompanied by a "home inspection."

As homeowners dig out the last of their Christmas decorations, they should take the opportunity to check several restricted spaces. For many folks, the holiday season is just a blur of lights, cheer and visiting friends and family, with very little time spared for even a simple inspection. Consequently, there are things that can go wrong in various rooms and corners of your home that could easily be covered up by simply putting up some colorful garlands, draping festive fabrics or finding a nice place for all your ornaments.

If you are one who is looking to hang your holiday lights this season and want to make sure that you're safe, don't stop at checking on the trees and bushes. Check out these 6 places that could be in need of some safety checks too:

Electrical outlets

Is a plug not functioning anymore? Outdoor outlets are susceptible to damage since they are exposed to the environment. It's possible that a ground fault circuit interrupter tripped. If you discover any exposed wire or loose connections, take safety measures.

Circuit breakers

Homeowners may find issues with the home's electrical system or circuit breaker box while constructing an outside light display. A proactive homeowner might wish to check their breaker box before hanging holiday lights, however some homeowners might only inspect their electrical panel after they unintentionally trip a breaker. 

You may find that you require a diagram displaying the circuits' connections to the various outlets or appliances. You can prevent overloading a single circuit by doing this. Christmas lights made on LEDs typically consume less power and could prevent blown fuses.

The roof or gutters

Check the roof and gutters if you're using a ladder to hang Christmas lights. The gutters are they clogged? Is there a puddle of standing water adjacent to the foundation? 

Your roof may be missing some shingles. Use light clips on the gutter edge to hang Christmas lights to detect existing damage and prevent more issues.

Chimney

Look at the chimney closely. Does it appear to be tilting or beginning to detach from the house? This can indicate a problem with the foundation. Hold a string with a tiny weight from the top edge of the home to test it. The string will always drop down directly. To see if any part of the house, including the chimney, is tilted, compare that to the structure. Where the chimney is moving away from the rest of the home, there may be a noticeable gap. It can be necessary to pinpoint the issues and consider the most effective solutions for fixing them.

Pest damage

Additionally, you might see pest damage. Where the house meets the ground, you might find termite or ant evidence, and along the eaves, you might find woodpecker holes or wasp nests.

Siding damage or wood rot

Check your siding and window frames for any indications of wear and tear, damage, or wood rot. Your house may be susceptible to water damage if you locate any. When the weather turns cold, the damaged siding may let water within the walls, which could cause the concrete to break when it freezes. In the warmer months, your home may be unprotected from heavy rains, resulting in flooding or dampness in your basement or crawl space.

Conclusion:

Overall, as you decorate your home or business this holiday season, keep in mind what needs inspecting, and take the opportunity to do it now. The holidays are all about togetherness, happiness and peace. You and your family can enjoy a cozy, fire-lit Christmas, thanks to your efforts to have a safe holiday.