How to Hang Christmas Lights Safely for a Winter Wonderland

Hanging Christmas lights can be a challenging project. Whether you’re going for something simple or you’re part of a neighborhood extravaganza, when dealing with high ladders and multiple strands of electric lights all in one project, safety is of the utmost importance. If you’re new at hanging Christmas lights on your home or you’re as experienced as Santa’s elves, we want to equip you with some tips and tricks to decorate your home with twinkling lights that will usher in holiday cheer for all your family, friends, and neighbors.

Before you get started, you’ll need to do some shopping. We have all the supplies you need for your holiday light project including:

• Ladder - Select a ladder equal to the height of your roofline. It’s unsafe to have to reach to hang lights. You should be at a comfortable level with the roofline when working.
• Tape Measure - Select a tape measure long enough to get a full measurement of your roofline or doorways and windows. Open-reel tape measures work well for walking the length of your roofline.
• Lights - There are a few great options for outdoor lighting including LED, incandescent, C7, and C9, which are a great option for hanging outdoors. Don’t use indoor lights for your outdoor project as they aren’t designed to withstand the elements.
• Clips - McCoy’s has clips that work well on windows, rain gutters, and door frames. You can use clips for attaching light strands to roof shingles if that is your preference.
• Extension Cord - If you are plugging your lights into your front porch electrical outlet, but you only want lights to shine on your eaves, an extension cord will help your lights reach your roof line.
• Timer - A timer is a wonderful device that allows you turn your light display on and off automatically.
• Glue gun - If you are attaching your lights to brick, a glue gun is an easy option to use, and it doesn’t damage brick.

We’ve all heard the adage, “Failing to plan is planning to fail,” so we highly recommend that you make a plan! Here are a few tips.

1. First, plan what color lights you want to hang and exactly where you want to hang them before you start. If you have a complicated roofline, you’ll need to draw it out too. Search the internet for some fun ideas.
2. Decide what type of light you will use. Next, measure exactly how many feet of lights you will need, so you can know exactly how many strands of lights you need. Then buy an extra strand or two - just in case.
3. Also, ensure you know where the plugs and outlets are, and check that they are fully operational.
4. Plug lights in before your installation to ensure all bulbs are working correctly and fix or replace any that are broken. Make sure you unplug the lights when you are hanging them.
5. Decide how you are going to control your lights. We recommend a timer, so you can flip a switch and walk away knowing your light display will automatically turn on and off every evening.
6. Plan where you will store your lights to keep them safe and ready to use for next year. Plastic storage bin(s) are great for this purpose. Make sure to wrap them in a neat coil so half your time next year isn’t spent untangling lights.

We have a few tips for you to ensure you are safe.

• Make sure there are no broken or exposed wires on your strands of lights.
• Remember to look where the power lines are before you install your lights.
• Use caution when you are climbing a ladder. Make sure you have a high-quality, fully operational ladder that you know how to use and have experience climbing. This is a two-person job, as you should ideally have someone stabilizing the ladder while you climb and are on the top of the ladder clipping the lights into place. Hold on to the ladder with at least one hand, and don’t reach too far.
• Use your electrical outlets properly. Never exceed more than around 80% of the electrical circuit’s capacity. If you are hanging more lights than that, you will need a second socket; however, it can be in the same outlet.
• Do not use a cord coming out of a window. Plug your lights into an outdoor power supply. (The standard building code states that there should be one socket on the front of a home and one in the back.)
• Do not use nails or staples. Instead, use a glue gun or clips. (See installation tips.)
• Be very aware of the water around your home. Never run a cord near or through potential water - whether it’s a bird bath or a downspout on your rain gutters.

• Place the clips on the light strands before you hang the lights.
• Note: Never stand on a metal roof; your weight may dent or otherwise damage it. If you want to add lights to a standing seam roof, use magnetic light clips.
• Next, clip the lights to the gutter or the shingles. If you are hanging lights on brick, use a glue gun. Simply place some glue on the back of the individual light and adhere it to the brick. It takes a few seconds to bond to the brick and removes easily. Do not use glue on painted surfaces, as it can damage the paint, or on stucco, as it has Styrofoam which can melt from hot glue.
• Use caution when you are transitioning from a lower roofline to a higher one. Make sure you plan for this extra footage of light strands.
• Try to hang a bulb right on the tip of a peak of your roofline. This will give your light display a balanced look.
• If you are hanging light strands in trees or on small shrubs, a good technique is to hang the strands in spirals, in an up-and-down pattern, or in a crisscross pattern.
• Set your timer and enjoy the light show every night!

Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll soon have a light display worthy of slowing down traffic in your neighborhood at night as cars stop to admire your handiwork.

Come see us at McCoy’s and we will help you find the right materials for your project. You may even find some extra holiday yard decorations to accentuate your light display! Of course, stay safe out there this holiday season, and when in doubt hire a professional.