Safety First! 4 Things to Do Before Hanging Outdoor Christmas Lights

Want your home to have a beautiful Christmas light display that rivals the Griswalds?  Then you need to keep safety in mind.  Home Maintenance expert Danny Lipford wants us to follow these precautions before installing any holiday lights.

1. Get an Inspection

Before installing holiday lighting, hire an electrical contractor to inspect the property. This expert can determine if a building’s electrical system can withstand the use of numerous lighting fixtures.  The inspection will include checking the home’s electrical circuit box to prevent electrical fires. During this time, you also can have additional outlets installed inside or outside the home.  After all, you don’t want to blow a fuse and end up freezing midwinter!

2. Prep Your Home

Before installing lots of Christmas lights, make sure your home has fire-resistant roofing materials and siding.  Metal, clay and recycled rubber tiles, along with fiberglass-based asphalt shingles are some roofing materials to consider.  As for siding, masonry, fiber cement and treated wood are good options.  In addition, you need a smoke alarm inside the house, and you may also want to have automatic fire sprinklers available.  It’s also good to install surveillance systems that monitor the display, because then it will be possible to see what’s happening on the property.

3. Don’t Climb the Ladder Alone

To display rooftop Christmas lights and decorations, you need to climb a ladder, and this is often difficult and dangerous, especially during severe weather.  If you use a ladder, have a friend assist you and wear slip-resistant shoes. In addition, avoid all utility lines.  Installing lights on a roof is especially dangerous, so you may want to hire someone to help you, or to just do the job themselves.

4. Avoid Combustible Items

Only use string lights and other holiday displays designed for outdoor use. These items are labeled for use outside a building where there is more moisture.  Hang string lights away from combustible materials and make sure that larger electrical Christmas displays are stabilized to remain in place.  Finally, consider the cost of using holiday lights so you understand what your monthly bill will be for using the items.  You may want to choose energy-efficient Christmas light displays. There are solar-powered lights that are designed for the holiday season.  Just ask for them at your local holiday supply store!

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