Follow These Safety Tips When Putting Up Holiday Lights

Christmas Lights

With Christmas around the corner, now’s the time to put up holiday lights. The lights add some holiday cheer and will show your neighbors that you’re in the Christmas spirit. Before you start the project, go over some safety tips for putting up holiday lights. Then, you’ll be ready to transform your home into a well-lit wonderland.

Measure and Diagram the Project Before Purchasing Lights

You need to make sure you buy enough lights, so take some measurements beforehand. Be sure to include your nearest grounded outdoor outlet in your measurements. Then, you won’t have to deal with a messy extension cord when hanging lights.

After measuring, diagram your plan, including the length of lights you need for each area. By planning, you’ll get the look you want while also staying safe.

Have a Spotter

You’ll want to start at the top of your house and work your way down when hanging lights. That means you’ll start on the ladder. First, have someone come outside to act as a spotter. Then, the person can hold the ladder in place when you climb it. This will prevent the ladder from shifting underneath you, which is a fall risk. It’ll also give you some company as you work your way through the time-intensive project.

Secure Power Cords and Garland

If you don’t secure the power cords and garland, they could fall off your house, creating a tripping hazard. Fortunately, you can prevent this by securing both with zip ties. As a bonus, you won’t have to worry about your lights slipping out of place and messing up your display when you do this.

You might also like: Enjoy These 6 Classic Sides Along With Turkey

Use GFCI Stakes for Power

You can use ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) stakes for the power source. The circuit interrupter will cut off the power if it detects a ground fault. You can choose one that includes a timer so you can automatically shut off your lights if you want to save energy. Once you get the GFCI stake, put it in the ground and plug in the lights.

Now, you’re ready to get started. Keep these tips in mind while tackling this project so you can stay safe while bringing some holiday cheer to the neighborhood.

Disclaimer: The stock image is being used for illustrative purposes only, and it is not a direct representation of the business, recipe, or activity listed. Any person depicted in the stock image is a model.