It’s that time of year when people get into the holiday spirit by listening to music, baking cookies, decorating their homes, and more. Hanging outdoor Christmas lights is also a yearly holiday tradition, but it should always be done safely. We’ve put together a few safety tips to follow as you’re putting up your outdoor holiday lights this year.
Test your equipment.
Before climbing on the roof or a ladder, untangle and string out your holiday lights to check for missing bulbs or frayed wires. Then, plug your lights into a power source to ensure if they’re working properly. Look over your extension cords to make sure they’re in good condition. Always check the tags on your lights and extension cords to ensure they are labeled for outdoor use. Defective lights and damaged cords could potentially start a fire.
Use the right outlet.
The power source for your Christmas lights should come from what’s called a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. Commonly found in bathrooms and kitchens, these types of outlets have test and reset buttons to turn the breaker off and on. GFCI outlets are intentionally designed to help prevent electrical fires. If you don’t have a reliable GFCI outlet already, ask a local electrician to install one for you.
Climb a steady ladder.
Depending on the design of your house, a ladder may be required for hanging Christmas lights on your roof. Ensure that your ladder is on steady, stable ground before climbing. Take caution when scaling the ladder and ask someone to hold the base for extra safety. If possible, use a bucket hanger to hold supplies to minimize the risk of falling or losing your balance.
Decorate with caution.
Be careful not to string holiday lights on trees that are close to power lines. Make it a habit to always turn your Christmas lights off before bed or set them on a timer to shut off automatically. If you aren’t comfortable working on your roof, string Christmas lights around windows, bushes, decks, and other areas lower to the ground.
Hanging outdoor Christmas lights is a great way to get your family into the holiday spirit – but it should always be done with safety and care. When you’re up on the roof, be on the lookout for potential issues such as missing shingles, roof damage, or dents in your gutters and siding. A local roofing company, like our team at Above All Roofing, can assess the situation and make professional recommendations. Get in touch with Above All Roofing to learn more about our roofing services.