Here’s How to Safely Install & Maintain Your Christmas Lights

Ladder Safety

Raise your hand if your arms aren’t long enough to reach the rain gutters on your house. You’re not alone. Most people need a ladder to attach outdoor Christmas décor to eavestroughs, trim, or exterior moulding. A wood or fibreglass extension ladder is the best choice for working along the roofline. An extension ladder rests against the house on stand-off arms and has articulating feet for stability, whereas a step ladder is better suited for lower indoor heights.

Ladder Safety Tips:

• Clean any dirt or debris from the ladder and inspect it for damage

• Test the ladder to ensure it is working properly and there are no loose parts

• Do not work close to overhead power lines

• Anchor the non-slip base pads on a flat, level surface such as a concrete walkway or patio stones

• Position the ladder one foot away from the wall for every four feet of ladder height

• Have at least three feet of excess ladder height above the roofline

• Do not overreach; move the ladder when necessary so you are always working from a balanced position

• Use a tool belt to carry equipment so both hands are free for climbing, working, and descending the ladder

Christmas Tree Light Safety

Creating warm memories around the Christmas tree requires some basic precautions to ensure everyone’s safety during the holiday season:

• Examine and replace any broken Christmas bulbs or damaged light strings

• Don’t overload power bars or wall outlets

• Use a tree skirt to hide extension cords and plugs from curious pets and children

• Shut off your tree lights at night and before leaving the house to avoid fire hazards

• Put your tree lights on a light timer just in case you forget to turn them off

• Consider a pre-lit Christmas tree to ensure the lights are strung correctly

• Store your lights safely on reels in a proper Christmas lights storage bag

Hanging the Christmas lights is a great way to kick off the holiday season. It’s also a fun DIY activity for the whole family as long as safety precautions are observed. Always be mindful when working with electricity, be sure to practice proper ladder safety, and use only certified products for their intended purpose.