It’s time for bright ideas again. And they’re earlier than usual.

That’s no surprise really. Longmont has always loved its holiday decorations, from the simple strand of roof lights to the out-and-out Disneyland displays that seem to dazzle half the county. And a few months back, when COVID-19 started to enter the daily conversation, quite a few people unpacked their bulbs and decided to re-hang a little happiness for a while.

Now it seems we all want some light again. With Thanksgiving still well ahead, some homes have already begun to recapture that wonderful holiday glow.

It’s exciting. It’s fun. And it also means it’s time to review how to put out those decorations safely.

Please remember:

• Lock your ladder in place, face it as you work, and follow any instructions from the manufacturer. (I’ve mentioned before how NOT to use a ladder to hang lights.)
• Frayed wires start fires. Retire any decorations that have become well-worn.
• Use indoor and outdoor extension cords in the right place, don’t overload them, and don’t pinch them in a door or window or under furniture. (And naturally, keep them away from standing water!)
• If you have an unmetered porch light from the city, don’t plug your decorations into it – your gorgeous display can burn out the small fuse.
• Keep your tree at least three feet from any space heaters, fireplaces, or other heat sources.

   

  For some homes, the pedestal light “lamp post” meter merits a few additional decorating reminders.

• Never cover the meter window (it makes the meter hard to read!) or the photocell, which can cause the light to stay on in the day.
• Wrapping lights around the body of the pedestal light can make it hard for our techs to open the door for repairs or maintenance.
• Older pedestal lights may have outlets, which should have a locked or sealed flap protecting them. Please don’t open the flap or use the outlet.
• Please don’t replace the lamp’s LED bulb with a tinted one. The bulbs are chosen for long life and effective illumination of the neighborhood.

So stay safe. Have fun. Be bright.

In times like these, it’s great to see Longmont shine.