5 Safety Tips for Hanging Outdoor Lights
Holiday lights make the season merry and bright, but hanging them does come with some risks. Follow these five safety tips when decking your halls to ensure a happy and healthy holiday for all.
1. Check the Weather
Before you start hanging holiday lights, check the weather forecast. Make plans to hang lights when the weather is dry and wind is minimal. Don’t attempt to hang lights if there is any active precipitation, wind gusts, or snow or ice on your roof.
2. Use Ladders Safely
If you’re using a ladder to hang lights, follow proper ladder safety rules. Inspect the ladder before you set it up; specifically, be on the lookout for any cracks or damage to the rungs that could cause you to slip. Wear a pair of non-slip shoes and designate a trusted friend or family member to hold the ladder stable for you, too.
When climbing or descending a ladder, always use both hands and keep three limbs on the ladder at all times. Move slowly, and never climb higher than the third or fourth rung from the top of the ladder itself.
3. Inspect Lights Before Hanging
Whether your holiday lights are brand new or have been in storage for the past year, it's important to examine them carefully before hanging them. Start by making sure the lights you have are rated for outdoor use. Likewise, look for signs of damage, such as frayed wires or missing bulbs. Never hang damaged lights on your house, as they can pose a risk of an electrical fire.
If you’re buying lights to hang outdoors, opt for LED lights whenever possible. These are not only more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs, but they also put out significantly less heat. While shopping for lights, you may also want to look for boxes that are labeled with a "UL Safety Certification." These lights are designed to meet strict safety regulations, which can give you some added peace of mind.
4. Don't Overload Electrical Circuits
Don’t plug in more than three sets of lights to a single extension cord. And, confirm that any extension cords you're using are exclusively rated for outdoor use.
When using outdoor power strips for your holiday lights, it's also a good idea to cross-check the specific wattage of your lights with the maximum wattage recommended for your power strip. Again, this is where sticking with low-wattage LED lights can simplify your life.
5. Know When to Hire a Pro
Hanging your own holiday lights can be very rewarding; however, you must recognize when hanging your own lights is more of a hazard than it's worth. If you don't feel 100% confident tackling this project yourself, remember that there's nothing wrong with hiring a handyman or other professional to handle it for you. At the end of the day, the most important thing is your health and safety!
More Holiday Safety Tips
By using some common-sense safety precautions when hanging holiday lights, you can keep yourself safe and reduce the risk of an electrical fire at your home. Looking for more fire safety and prevention tips for your home this season? Check out our blog post, “Holiday Home Fire Safety & Prevention.”