Important Safety Tips on Hanging Holiday Lights
It’s that time of year again! Before Thanksgiving leftovers are gone, people all over are already decorating their home for Christmas. If you’re like many of the friends we know, there is nothing more satisfying than having one of the best holiday light displays in the neighborhood. These elaborate outdoor creations almost always include lights, inflatables and more in the front yard or even on the roof.
Clyde Nettles has been safely navigating on top of roofs all over the state of SC for over 71 years – so please take some pointers from us and be as safe as possible this season while making your home a fantastic holiday display!
1. Be Cautious of Weather Conditions
Do not attempt to hang any lights/decorations when snow, ice or just rainy wet weather conditions exist. We do realize we’re in the south, so snow and ice are unlikely – but rain is always a possibility. Wet steps on ladders and wet shingles can be very dangerous, especially on steep pitched roofs. Not to mention it’s never safe to be plugging in electronics into wet outdoor outlets. So if we do have some rain, just sort through those decorations and wait for dry weather to actually attempt to hang them!
2. Protect the Integrity of Your Home & Roof
Never puncture or poke holes in your asphalt roof shingles. This compromises the integrity of your roof almost immediately and could void any warranty your home or your home’s roof may be under. Not to mention this could create the possibility of a leak. Use specially made roof clips that clip to the edge of your gutters, shingles or windows. By using these clips, you can create a huge display without worrying about damage to your home. Most clip packages include peak clips, allowing you to safely run lights along the peak of your roof.
3. Time to Make the Switch to LED
Still using those old incandescent lights? You may want to make the switch to LED lights. LEDs use way less energy – giving you several advantages. Less energy to burn means they don’t get as hot as the older incandescent bulbs, creating less risk for fire or burnt/charred shingles. Because they draw less energy, not only will you save money on the electric bill, but you can power more strands off of a single outlet. Making the switch to LEDs is just a win/win for you in the end.
4. Ready to Start? Make Sure You Have a Plan & the Proper Tools:
Always make a plan – organize your decorations by placement on your home and you’ll save a ton of time. Make sure you have a checklist of all the tools you’ll need:
- Ladder
- Light clips
- Outdoor extension cords
- Duct tape to secure cords
- Sturdy, non-slip shoes
- Lights/decor
- Outdoor timers
If you’re in the mood to see a wonderful display of lights this year, we highly suggest you check out Riverbanks Zoo Lights Before Christmas. Just click on the link for more info on tickets and times. This amazing display might even give you more pointers on how to add more to your own home decor!
Thanks for reading, and please be safe putting up those holiday decorations. Oh and if you do notice anything in question while you are on your roof, contact us immediately and we’ll come out and take a look.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Clyde Nettles Roofing! Proud to be locally owned & family operated since 1950.
