16 Tips to Avoid a Holiday Decorating Disaster This Season

Your holiday wish list almost certainly doesn't include a trip to the hospital. That's why it's important to deck your halls with care. We asked experts for some of the most common decorating mishaps — and how to avoid them. Here's what to keep in mind as you're spreading cheer this season.

Before buying a live Christmas tree, conduct a three-part stress test, recommends Stacey Palosky, a spokesperson with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. A fresh tree has needles that resist being pulled off and do not snap when bent, a trunk bottom that's sticky with resin and strong limbs that will drop just a few needles if shaken.

Don't position a live Christmas tree next to fireplaces, heating ducts or radiators, nor place them where they block doorways or high-traffic areas. Remember that artificial trees, even if they have a "Fire Resistant" label, can still go up in flames, too, Palosky says.

Keep child and pet safety in mind by placing unbreakable and non-toxic ornaments on the lowest areas of the Christmas tree, recommends the celebrity holiday decorating team of Dr. Christmas, a.k.a. Bob Pranga and Debi Staron. Replace metal hooks with ribbon or string to prevent choking and injury.

A dry tree will burn faster than one that's been watered, according to John Drengenberg, consumer safety director at Underwriters Lab, an independent safety science company. Check the water level of your tree daily and keep it in a vessel that can hold an adequate water supply. To test to see if your tree is sufficiently hydrated, give a branch a gentle tug and see if any needles break, he says.

To hang decorations on your house, deploy a ladder extending a minimum of three feet over the roofline or working area, Palosky says. Ladders should be on level, firm ground, with leg levelers added if you're on an incline. A ladder also should be able to carry both your weight and any objects you're hauling, she adds.

Don't use holiday lights unless they have cleared the strict safety tests conducted by Underwriters Lab or another established testing facility, Palosky says. Lights checked by the independent testing company are marked with a holographic UL label. A red label means lights can be used indoors and out, while green means indoor-use only.

You want your lights to shine, not sparks to fly! Your source of power should come from a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. This type of outlet will shut the circuit down if there is overcurrent. If you don't have a GFCI outlet, a qualified electrician can permanently install one outdoors for holiday seasons to come. You can also opt to buy a portable outdoor unit from your local home store.

Don't smoke out Santa or your other guests with a dirty chimney. "Have your fireplace and wood stove inspected annually and cleaned if needed," Katz advises.

Placement is everything with candles — keep them away from curtains, bedding, paper, walls or any other areas with the potential to combust, as candle flames can heat up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, Drengenberg says.

Be sure to blow out candles if you're going to leave a room, and warn your children to keep away from them. As a safer alternative, try battery-powered LED candles, Katz suggests.