How to Hang Outdoor Christmas Lights!

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK

631-447-5252

Decorating your house with lights is one of the oldest traditions of the upcoming holiday season.  With the cold weather, snow and ice this could be a dangerous task.  Lowe’s offers some helpful tips on how to safely hang your outdoor lights, safely and properly to create the perfect holiday atmosphere.  

The first thing you’re going to want to do is to plan your project before you buy anything.  Measure your target areas that you would like to decorate with lights, but also keep in mind the distance to the nearest power outlet.  After calculating your measurements its time to decide which type of bulbs you would like to use.  An inexpensive option can be incandescent mini lights, which are sold in various lengths that hold from 50 to over 300 lights.  A newer option for outdoor decorating is LED (light-emitting diode) lights.  They give off a bright white light and remain cool even after hours of use.  LEDs are more expensive but ultimately save you money in the long run because they are 90% more energy-efficient and last thousands of hours longer.  

Whatever your choice all light strands should be UL-listed and rated for outdoor use, and choosing the same brand for all your lights will ensure consistent results.  After purchasing your lights, you’ll need some other supplies to help you hang them.  For example you’ll need hardware such as specialty hooks and clamps that make it easy to attach lights to gutters, window trip and door frames.  Basic hand tools are usually necessary to install most of this hard ware.  

Outdoor extension cords will bring power to lights in hard to reach places.  A ladder is essential if you plan on getting lights on your roof.  Finally some people like to use a timer to automatically turn on the lights when it becomes dark out.  Remember to take the proper safety precautions before hanging your lights.  If possible try to work during the daylight and work with a helper.  Unwrap all lights and untangle cords before you start and avoid driving nails into cords or attaching cords with staples.  Follow all these tips and your holiday season will be accompanied by a beautifully decorated house that embraces the Christmas season.