Calling all of the Clark Griswolds in the neighborhood!

Do you get a big “charge” out of decorating your house for the holiday? Have a competitive streak? If so, then, Pulte Homes wants to see “watt” you’ve got.

Game on!  Bring on the best Christmas lights and decorations at your house by submitting a photo on our special Facebook Group, “Chicagoland’s Holiday Home Decorating Contest”. Be creative and help us find all those inflatable Santas and mega-watt lighting displays. Just log on to Facebook here and start posting your entries today.

It’s your big chance to catch a moment of fame, claim bragging rights for a year (and a get a big electric bill in January)!

Deadline is Monday, December 22.

For those of us who are still trying to get the lights up before the blizzards arrive (and who will  probably still have them on the house until Easter), remember these important “Decorating Do’s and Don’ts”.  Keep your holidays happy and safe by following the rules of electrical safety and taking these extra precautions offered by Powerhouse.com:

The Right Way

* Do check for cracked or loose sockets and connections and  exposed wires before plugging in any lights – old or new. Then put the lights on a nonflammable surface and plug them in for 10 – 15 minutes to check for melting, smoking or overheating. Throw away any strings showing flaws.

* Do make sure your lights are safety certified. Look for a label that says “Underwriters Laboratories Approved” or “UL Listed.”

* Do protect small children and pets by using plastic safety covers on all unused outlets and keeping cords out of sight and reach. (Remember the fate of the poor Griswold’s cat!) .

* Do water your “real” Christmas tree every day, and keep light strings from coming into direct contact with branches. If you have an artificial tree, make sure it’s fire retardant.

* Do make sure the lights and extension cords you use outside are certified for outdoor use and are plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet.

* Do keep decorations and ladders away from overhead electrical lights and power lines.

* Do follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on how many strings of lights can be safely connected together.

The Wrong Way

* Don’t leave lights on while you’re sleeping or away from home. If you tend to forget, use a timer.

* Don’t plug more than three light strings into an extension cord.

* Don’t use metal staples or nails as fasteners for lights. This can damage the protective insulation covering the wires.

* Don’t run extension cords across sidewalks or driveways.