If we only had one piece of advice to offer about hanging your holiday lights, it would be to do all of your outdoor lighting projects with a friend or a member of your family! There’s simply no question – it’s easier, faster, and far safer. Other than that, here are our next best tips:
- Hang the lights during the day, but not while it’s raining or snowing.
- Make sure that you unwrap, untangle, and lay out every cord of lights before you start. Then be sure to test each strand. Either replace burned out or missing bulbs – or throw out the strand if it’s showing wear. (this is a good opportunity to replace it with an LED substitute!)
- Use extension cords to get power to your starting points, the thick heavy ones.
- In general – start high and then work your way down.
- Never connect more than three strands, or 300 lights together end to end. After you’ve finished hanging the third strand, insert a “splitter” to conduct power safely. (looks like the end of an extension cords, always available around holiday time)
- Use clips, clamps, or hooks to attach lights whenever possible. Working outdoors, there will be times when you will need to use a hammer and a nail, but avoid using it to attach any kind of cord.
