Helpful outdoor light hanging tips!

Tips on Hanging Outdoor Christmas Lights

Hanging outdoor Christmas lights can be a fun but challenging project. While almost everyone loves the holiday spirit of twinkling house lights, not everyone feels comfortable putting them up. Read on to learn tips for hanging outdoor Christmas lights. Does this Spark an idea?

Estimate the Amount of Lights Needed

o    Take a 30-foot (or longer) measuring tape and measure the exterior of the house. Also, measure around the sides of windows and door frames. When measuring, include the length of lights needed to wind through any tall bushes by the house. Write down all measurements, then add them up to determine how many strands of 50, 100, 150 or 200 foot lights you'll need. Consider purchasing micro-bulbs in 50 foot increments, since when one bulb breaks, you often have to toss out the entire strand. The heavier duty C-7 and C-9 bulbs typically don't have this issue, but they do burn much hotter.

Helpful Items

o    Use a sturdy ladder. If you must lean your ladder against a gutter while hanging lights, place a short section of 2 by 4 inside to reinforce the gutter. Besides ladders, light clips also simplify the decorating process. For gutters and shingles, specially made plastic clips attach right on, with a hook that holds the light strand. Plastic nail-on light clips are available for any other vertical surfaces where you'd like to string lights. Remember, staples and regular nails aren't safe, since they can cause the wires to become damaged. You'll also need at least one heavy duty extension cord.

Light Safety and Other Tips

o    Only use Christmas lights approved for outdoor use. Also, don't overload outlets. Putting your lights on an outdoor-approved timer is a great way to make sure you don't forget to turn them off. Only plug lights into a GFCI (ground fault circuit-interrupter) outlet, and never overload an extension cord beyond the manufacturer's recommendations. LED-lights may cost a bit more, but shave a good chunk off your electric bill. The same goes for mini-bulbs. When re-using lights from a previous year, always check for worn or frayed cords, and toss immediately if you find any. Replace burned out fuses with fuses of the same size only, and always remember to unplug the cord first.

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