Where do you keep your holiday decorations?
If you are like many homeowners in this country—-you stuff them in the attic. While the attic is a common repository for all kinds of things, it seems that Christmas decorations top the list of possibilities.
The weight of these items is not likely to pose any structural issues for the home (unless you store real reindeer)—-plus it gives any rodents that live up there lots sparkly things to play with all year long.
There can be other concerns though, as can be seen in the following picture. Stored items can be pushed into electrical equipment/wiring, exhaust fans, ductwork—-not to mention crush insulation. (Compacting insulation decreases its R-value affecting its thermal efficiency.)
Now admittedly the receptacle is not properly wired and covered—-but are you sure there are no similar conditions in the space that you stuff your seasonal decorations? In this case the plastic base of the Christmas tree stand prevents the metal screw from touching the exposed electrical connections—-all bets would be off with the metal tree thrown on top though. These sorts of electrical hazards are like snakes poised to strike—-just waiting for the right opportunity—–and they strike when you are unlucky.
This was another example where someone was more “lucky” than “good.”
By Charles Buell, Real Estate Inspections in Seattle
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