It’s decoration time! We expect that you’ve already started decorating for the holidays, but there are several outdoor holiday decorating tips you should follow for your merriment…and protection. 

All is (B)Right

Make sure any exterior lights are manufactured for outdoor use. Though some strings can be dually used for indoors and outdoors, it’s critical that exterior lights are made to weather the storm. Interior lights simply can’t handle cold, wet temperatures. 

Ho Ho Ho, NOT No No No!

Don’t create a slip, trip and fall hazard with your decorations. It’s important to be festive, not fatalistic! Keep pathways free of decorations, particularly cords or moving parts that could cause someone to fall. It’s also important to keep walkways de-iced on snow and ice days to prevent dangerous slips. No one wants to hurt the parcel delivery service people (or Santa)!

Door Décor Safety

Adding decoration to your garage door is a great way to add merriment to your home. However, be sure that it’s securely fastened and kept away from your garage’s moving parts. If you aren’t careful, wreaths, garland, and tinsel can get wrapped around the gears and chains. Though we’re happy to assist you with service, Overhead Door prefers prevention to a cure – when it comes to the flu and garage door repairs.

Check Your (Electrical) List Twice 

As a regular safety measure, all outdoor outlets are safe from moisture and properly grounded to prevent sparks and fire hazards. Additionally, avoid slips, trips, and falls by keeping power cords out of walkways – it’s critical to make sure the cord isn’t so tight as to tear away from the plug. If you plan on having a significant amount of outdoor electrical decorations, consider a hardcore exterior power supply that keeps you from overloading outlets.

Do you have any favorite holiday safety tips? Remember that the holly jolly service team at Overhead Door is always available if your garage gears do manage to get tangled up in holiday garland.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. In just two the days, the busiest time of the year will kick on in full swing. The holiday season is always full of hustle and bustle, but it's critical to take some steps to make sure that you're properly preparing your home for the holidays. Overhead Door is sharing some of our favorite ways to keep you safe and sound...and merry!

Ready to Be Merry? Preparing Your Home for the Holidays

Get Ready for Guests

Have you been putting off little to-do's around your property? Be sure to check them off of your list before guests begin to arrive for celebratory events. Make sure that bathroom plumbing is working properly (no leaks or breaks), stock up on clean towels and linens, and clean out your closets to leave some space.

Create a Cozy Environment

Make a short homeowner's list to make sure you don't miss anything. To welcome guests (and improve your home's monthly utility costs), make sure that windows and doors are adequately sealed. If your guest room is hotter or colder than other rooms of the house, consider having a professional HVAC company check out the duct work to find out why. If you plan on spending any time during the holidays in your garage, be sure to add insulation for a more moderate environment.

Be Clear About Rules

If you prefer that no table scraps be given to the dog or you have a shoe-free home, be sure to let guests know about your non-negotiables early on in their visit. Though it's not recommended that you give your company an entire laundry list of your house rules, it's important to highlight the ones that could negatively affect your holiday.

Dazzle Them

Holiday decorations are one of the best parts of the season. Unless otherwise arranged, be sure to have your holiday decor out before guests arrive. Unfortunately, many items are covered in glitter - which gets everywhere. It's beneficial to get these pieces put away to avoid tracking it through your home. Additionally, a sparkling clean home is one of the best ways to impress guest. Give your home a thorough cleaning (or hire someone to) before their arrival. 

Safety First

If you expect poor weather conditions, be sure to set up a "muster" area near the entrance of your home. It's important to have a place available for guests to place their boots and coats. Additionally, make sure that your home's exterior is well-lit and that the walkway to your home is free of obstacles.

Create the Comforts of Home

Ask your overnight guests if they have any preferences. Some people like cream in their coffee. Others like a big breakfast. Some people prefer cooler temperatures at night. Doing your best to accommodate your company makes a big difference - especially when they are spending their holiday away from home.

Are you ready for the holiday season? All of us at Overhead Door want to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving - and we look forward to ushering in the Christmas season, as well. If you experience a garage door emergency during your holiday, know that you can trust our experienced professionals. Happy Thanksgiving!

Hellllooo, three day weekend! As you’re reading this, many of you may be packing up to head out of town. However, if you’re staying in town, here are some of Overhead Door’s tips on our favorite Memorial Day party tips.

It’s Not Just A Three-Day Holiday

First and foremost, Overhead Door wants you to remember the reason for this holiday weekend. Until 1971, Memorial Day was traditionally celebrated on May 30^th. The federal government adopted the holiday as the last Monday of May as a way to honor and remember the soldiers who had lost their lives fighting for our country. 

To start your Memorial Day, we encourage you to honor the men and women who made this day possible. You can do this by attending a celebration at your nearest veterans memorial, going to a parade, or privately remember our troops.

Clean Up And Get Ready To Party

Your garage is actually one of the best places to host a party – assuming it’s clean! Before the big bash on Monday, we recommend following our tips on getting your garage organized. Make sure that it’s free of any stains and chemicals, especially if you plan to serve food out of it. 

Though it’s a little late to get started for Memorial Day, we recommend adding these amazing Lifestyle Screens. They can make your next holiday celebration a big success. Lifestyle Screens allow air to circulate through your garage while keeping bad weather, insects, and pets out. Get your estimate today!

Get Festive

Decorations sometimes take up more time than you’d like. Keep your décor simple by using indoor/outdoor twinkle lights, festively colored tablecloths and utensils, and small American flags. If you plan to use your garage as the designated party area, make sure that any surfaces are clean of chemicals. If children will be in attendance, it’s also important to make sure that sharp tools and potentially toxic substances are stored elsewhere.

Food Safety Tips

If you’re planning on going traditional with your food, here are a few quick tips to help you make the most best buffet yet:

• Keep dairy-based (mayo-included) items refrigerated or on-ice. Food-borne illnesses occur frequently when items like potato salad or deviled eggs are left out too long.
• Cook as you go. Though it’s easier to cook everything at once, it’s best to cook what you need. That way, there’s no food sitting out to spoil.
• Make sure meats (particularly chicken) are thoroughly cooked through.
• Use tiki torches, citronella, or fans to keep insects away from picnic areas. However, we encourage you to be cautious about any open flames.
• Keep food in the shade. If you’re enjoying the Memorial Day holiday party in your garage, you’re good to go!

All of us at Overhead Door want to wish you a very happy and safe Memorial Day. If your garage door decides to misbehave over the weekend, we're available to help.

It's something most homeowners don't think of during the holidays…garage safety. But think about it! You are in and out of your garage more during the holidays (getting out decorations, storing gifts, countless shopping trips to the grocery store and mall…). It's exhausting just thinking about it! We're here to make sure you stay safe during the holidays.

Keeping the garage door shut at all times
Did you know the garage is a burglars favorite point of entry? Especially during the holidays! Make sure you keep your garage closed while you are there AND away. An easy way for you to avoid leaving the garage open with children around is having a keypad installed. This will allow the children to type in the code without have to use a car clicker. Also, make sure to keep the door connected to the garage locked. If for some reason someone does enter your garage, the worst thing that could happen is they enter your house as well. 
 
Lighting
Install automatic lighting around your garage door to keep unwanted visitors away. This is also a safety precaution for your family members trying to enter in the garage in the dark.
 
Animals
A garage can be an easy “mud room” for your pets (especially with colder temperatures). Do not lock them in the garage without a way to enter the house or venture into the yard. Leave plenty of water out. A great way to give your pet access to the garage area is to install a doggy door, that way they may come and go as they please. If you do bring them in during the winter weather, be sure to set out blankets…but say no to space heaters!
 
Storage
Keep your garage clean and organized. Objects can cause someone to trip and fall if they are just cluttered around. Ladders need to be hung horizontally so a child will no try to climb it. Robes and wires need to be placed along the wall to avoid tangling. And when it rains, sweep up afterwards, the smooth concrete can create quite the ice rink.
 
Cautious
A garage door is the heaviest and biggest machinery in your home. Watch for children, animals, and objects before you choose to close the garage. We suggest walking along the door line to insure nothing will be hit once the door comes down. Make sure your garage door has an automated system to stop the door when it reaches an unfamiliar object.
 
Fire hazards
Garages aren’t exempt from the rules of fire safety. With all the fertilizer, chemicals, paints, and gasoline, make sure you have a fire extinguisher on hand just in case. We suggest using a Class B/C fire extinguisher.

Enjoy your holiday season and stay safe! For all of your garage door needs, contact Overhead Door. We are always happy to help!