Year after year, the holiday season begins and ends with the traditional setting up and taking down of your Christmas lights and decorations. While it is a major hassle climbing up and down the roof during the winter, you can see it as a fun chore for the entire family. Everybody can participate, at least in some way.
Of course, it’s best to leave climbing up and down the roof to the adults in the family. But there is still a lot left to do — choosing the decorations, for example. Most homes have decorations left over from the years before, but there are always some lights that are not working, decorations that are worn out, etc. Somebody needs to see how many extra lights are needed, which ones to buy, what color. Designing a cool holiday light show is not an easy task.
Useful Tips And Tricks For Holiday Light Installation
By following these few simple tips, you’ll make the work much safer and easier in the long run. Holiday light installation can be tricky since you’re dealing with winter conditions outdoors. That means a couple of things can go wrong — it’s slippery and cold, so you have to be extra careful, especially with the ladder. Also, water and electricity don’t play well, so the electrical part of the holiday light installation has to be done carefully. Here are a couple of things you should keep in mind:
Be Careful While Up On The Roof
Holiday light installation should be a fun activity, but it can quickly turn very bad if you’re not careful. Use a quality ladder, rated above your weight. Wear quality boots, preferably with a rubber sole. Your feet should make good contact with the ladder, without any sliding. Use insulated tools and preferably install the lights on insulated holders, instead of using something like nails. If you feel your hands or feet are starting to go numb, it’s better to take a break. You won’t be as effective, and the risk of slipping rises. You should finish the work before sunset, so it’s best to start in the morning.
Insulate Everything
Outdoor electrical installations, especially in the winter, are very susceptible to water ingress. You could easily electrify your gutter and risk serious injury to someone. But the most probable outcome is a short circuit and your house up in flames. It’s a serious thing, and it should not be taken lightly. Badly executed holiday light installation can turn your life around, and not for the better.
To ensure everything works safely, insulation is key. The lights themselves should be waterproof, for starters. Find a reputable manufacturer and try not to go for the cheapest route. Use a grounded outlet, preferably indoors, generally installed in a garage. Make sure that the cabling is all undamaged. Throw out anything that has frayed wires; they are the first sign of danger. If you’re using an extension cord, make sure it’s waterproof and rated for outdoor use. If you don’t have indoor outlet protection, we will find a protected area, such as under a carport or other areas that are protected from weather conditions. Or you could buy a protected extension cord and give yourself some peace of mind. And finally, don’t keep the lights on while you’re out, and preferably turn them off while you’re sleeping.
