How To Safely Install Christmas Lights On Your Roof

As the temperature gets colder outside, there are lots of people who are getting ready for the holiday season. With Christmas right around the corner, it is probably time to start putting up those Christmas lights. At the same time, you must make sure you put safety at the top of your priority list when installing Christmas lights. Take a look at a few important safety practices to follow, and reach out to professionals if you have any questions about putting Christmas lights on the roof of your house.

Check the Lights Before Climbing on the Roof

Always check to make sure the Christmas lights work before you climb on the roof. You don’t want to climb up to the roof, install the Christmas lights, and then realize they do not work. You may not have used your Christmas lights for a year. Therefore, plug them into an outlet on the ground to make sure the individual bulbs work. If you find that one of the bulbs is burnt out, you should replace it before you climb up on the roof. 

Shorter Strands Are Better

When in doubt, shorter strands are better. Do not install Christmas lights with cords that wrap around themselves multiple times. The longer the cord is, the easier it will be for someone to trip and fall. Furthermore, if the cords are too long, they may not have a lot of tension on them after you plug them in. This means they can shift on the roof easily, possibly falling to the ground. Try to install shorter light strands on the roof. 

Use a Roof Ladder and Safety Harness

When you install Christmas lights on your roof, always use a roof ladder and safety harness. A roof ladder has hooks on the end of it that can prevent it from falling off the side of the house. Furthermore, wear a safety harness that can protect you against fall injuries. Lastly, when you climb up to the roof of your house, make sure someone knows where you are going. That way, someone can come and get you if you get stuck up there. 

Avoid Roof Vents with Lights and Decorations

As you look around the roof, take note of roof vents. You do not want to cover roof vents with decorations. Make sure you anchor the Christmas lights securely to the roof of the house. That way, they do not shift during the holiday season. If you cover or seal roof vents with your Christmas lights, you will impact the ventilation system of your home. This could make it difficult for your filters to work properly, and it might increase your utility expenses. Take note of where the roof vents are located, and avoid them when you install your Christmas lights. 

Install Your Christmas Lights Safely

These are a few best practices you need to follow when installing Christmas lights. Even though it is exciting to put beautiful Christmas lights on the roof of your house, you must take steps to limit possible fall injuries. Do not go up on the roof of your house unless you have the right safety equipment. If you are ever nervous about going up on your roof, reach out to a professional who can help you.