Three tips to safely string your Christmas lights

Nothing reminds you that the holidays are nearly here quite as much as driving down a snowy street with Christmas lights brightly shining on the houses all around. Hanging Christmas lights is a holiday tradition for many. If you are planning on starting the tradition for the first time this season – or even if you’ve been hanging lights for years – remember to keep safety-first by following these three important tips.

 Examine your lights before you begin

First, make sure your holiday lights are for outdoor use. If they are, examine them to make sure  they don’t have frayed cords. If you find a frayed or worn cord, it’s better to replace the whole string of lights rather than to try to fix it yourself. Be careful not to damage the cords yourself by using staples or nails to fasten them to the house. Frayed cords could put you at risk of a fire. Instead use fasteners, screw in hooks or hanging clips, available wherever lights are sold.

Rick Kimpel

Use a proper ladder

Make sure you are using a proper ladder for the height of your house and avoid leaning too far to either side. Moving the ladder can greatly reduce your risk of a fall. Think about how you’ll hold your lights and your tools before you climb the ladder to make sure you have your hands free to balance and string the lights. Make it a family event! It’s best to have a helper to steady the ladder and hand you supplies or tools as you work.

Don’t overload your electrical outlet

If you’re planning to run lights around your entire house, make sure you have the proper number of outlets and the right grade of power cord before you start.. You should only use outdoor extension cords with a three-prong plug. Read the manufacturers’ guidelines to learn how many strings of lights you can safely plug together and don’t keep your lights on all night or when you’re not home.

Have a relaxing and safe holiday and a happy New Year!

Here are more tips to keep the holiday season safe from the Canada Safety Council.