Decorate for the Holidays Safely

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and decking the halls. While outdoor holiday lights and decorations can make your home look festive, improper installation can cause costly damage to your roof and siding—or even pose safety risks. Here’s how to create a winter wonderland while protecting your home and loved ones.

1. Choose the Right Decorations

Invest in high-quality, outdoor-rated lights and decorations that can withstand winter weather. Look for products with UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or ETL (Electrical Testing Laboratories) certifications for safety. LED lights are a great choice since they’re energy-efficient and produce less heat, reducing the risk of fire.

2. Use Clips Instead of Nails or Staples

Avoid using nails, screws, or staples to attach decorations to your roof or siding. These can puncture shingles, create leaks, or damage vinyl siding. Instead, opt for specialized plastic clips designed for holiday lights. These clips securely fasten to gutters, shingles, or siding without leaving marks or causing damage.

3. Inspect Your Roof and Gutters First

Before starting your holiday decorating, inspect your roof and gutters for any signs of damage. Clear out leaves and dirt to prevent clogging and ice dams over the winter. If you already have the ladder out, it’s a great opportunity to get cleaning and decorating done in one shot. 

4. Distribute Weight Evenly

When hanging larger decorations, such as inflatables or heavy ornaments, distribute their weight evenly across your roof or yard. Avoid placing them directly on shingles, as the added weight can cause cracking or shifting. Instead, consider ground-based options, such as secured stakes or platforms.

5. Be Mindful of Power Sources

Overloading electrical outlets or running extension cords improperly can lead to short circuits or even fires. Use weatherproof outdoor extension cords and plug them into grounded outlets with GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) protection. Keep cords off walkways to prevent tripping hazards and secure them with outdoor-rated tape.

6. Work Safely at Heights

If you need to use a ladder, make safety a priority. Ensure your ladder is stable, positioned on level ground, and tall enough to reach your working area without overextending. Use a spotter for added stability, and never decorate alone in case of emergencies.

7. Protect Your Siding

Avoid using adhesives or mounting hardware that could peel paint or leave residue on your siding. Instead, try temporary, damage-free options such as suction cup hooks or magnetic clips for attaching wreaths and garlands. Always check product labels to ensure compatibility with your siding material.

8. Take Decorations Down Promptly

While it’s tempting to leave decorations up into the new year, prolonged exposure to winter weather can cause wear and tear. Plan to remove everything shortly after the holidays to prevent damage.

9. Store Decorations Properly

Once the season ends, store your decorations in a cool, dry place to prolong their lifespan. Wrap lights loosely to avoid tangling, and label storage bins for easy access next year.

With these tips, you can safely decorate your home for the holidays while protecting your roof, siding, and family. Happy holidays!

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Smart Home Upgrades for Seniors and Older Adults

As we age, maintaining independence and comfort within our homes becomes increasingly important. Smart home technology has emerged as a transformative solution, offering a range of upgrades that cater specifically to the needs of seniors and older adults. These innovations not only enhance convenience but also contribute to safety, health, and overall well-being. Let’s explore some smart home upgrades that can turn any residence into a safe haven for seniors.

Smart Lighting Systems

Smart lighting systems are an excellent way to enhance visibility within the home. They can be programmed to adjust brightness levels based on the time of day, providing optimal lighting conditions for different activities. Motion sensors can automatically turn lights on and off, minimizing the risk of accidents, especially during nighttime navigation. Voice-activated controls, such as those integrated with virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, make it easy for seniors to manage lighting without getting up.

Smart Thermostats

Maintaining a comfortable temperature is crucial for seniors, especially those with mobility challenges. Smart thermostats enable remote temperature control through smartphones or voice commands. Additionally, they can learn the occupants' preferences over time and adjust the temperature accordingly. This not only enhances comfort but can also contribute to energy savings, providing a win-win solution for seniors looking to manage their living expenses.

Home Security Systems with Monitoring

Safety is a top priority for seniors, and smart home security systems offer advanced features for peace of mind. Video doorbells, indoor cameras, and smart locks allow seniors to monitor their homes remotely. Some systems even include emergency response services that can be activated through voice commands or a simple button press, ensuring quick assistance in case of an emergency.

Smart Flooring and Fall Detection Systems

Preventing falls is a critical concern for seniors. Smart flooring systems equipped with sensors can detect unusual movements or a potential fall, triggering automatic alerts to caregivers or emergency services. Fall detection wearables, integrated with smart home systems, provide an additional layer of safety by continuously monitoring the user's movements and detecting sudden falls.

Smart home upgrades tailored for seniors go beyond mere convenience; they empower older adults to age in place comfortably and safely. By integrating these technologies, seniors can maintain their independence, reduce the burden on caregivers, and enjoy a higher quality of life. As the world of smart home technology continues to evolve, the possibilities for creating age-friendly living spaces are limitless, offering a brighter and more secure future for seniors.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Fence Options for Backyard Privacy

A private backyard oasis to enjoy during the summertime is one of my favorite things about being a homeowner. In my experience, creating a place that’s inviting and relaxing can make balmy weekday evenings feel like a mini-vacation, especially when a barbecue or bonfire is involved. 

But having an at-home retreat also means taking steps to ensure that your backyard is private and secure, especially when there is a pool or water feature in the mix. So today, I’d like to give you a peek into a range of fencing options to protect your yard and provide seclusion without forgoing great design.

Many homeowners love the aesthetic of a beautiful, timeless wood fence. They look elegant, provide fantastic privacy, and are easy to install. The downside, of course, is maintenance. With our hot summers and brutal winters, a wood fence will need regular staining or painting, a job that every homeowner dreads. On the positive side, if you like to update the look of your backyard frequently, wood can be painted in any color imaginable and it’s one of the most affordable options on the market. A six-foot panel will run around $25-$50 depending on the type of wood.

If you love the look of wood, but the upkeep has you thinking twice about the material, you might want to think about composite fencing. Composite is made from engineered wood, and while it mimics the look of the natural stuff, its lifespan is much longer with very little maintenance requirements and no worry that it will rot, splinter or warp.  The cost will vary based on the design and type, but you can expect to pay $100-$150 per six-foot section.

If you want something that’s sturdy and maintenance free, a chain link fence might be a good option for you. While they generally aren’t the most stylish in terms of design, a chain link fence will keep your backyard protected and they can be slightly customized in different colors and gauges. If you need more privacy, you can upgrade a chain link fence with metal slats. Best of all, it’s the cheapest of options, coming in at $100 or less for a 50-foot roll. If you like the idea of a metal fence, but prefer something a little more upscale, go for an aluminum option, which is powder coated and needs very little maintenance. A six-foot panel will run you $50-$75 depending on the height.

Finally, if you want something that will protect your pool without making it feel enclosed, there’s nothing like glass. A glass or plexiglass panel fence is beautiful for enclosing water without shutting out the rest of your property. Glass fences are durable, but they do tend to scratch easily and need to be cleaned regularly. They are also generally the most expensive fencing option, especially if they need to enclose a large area or in-ground pool. You’ll be looking in the ballpark of a few hundred dollars per panel.

With so many options, which do you like best? Send me an email or message me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/odonnellbros 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.