The festivities of the Christmas season are upon us; giving the homeowner a chance to display their home with spectacular outdoor Christmas lights. This is a great way to bring the whole family together.
When putting up Christmas lights, plan how you want them displayed. Drawing a simple sketch on paper will help you remember your ideas. Some people choose to decorate with a single colour. Using blue, red, white, or green lights, gives your home a look of an old-fashioned Christmas. Using multi-colour lights express the excitement and delight of Christmas time. Measure the area you plan to decorate; and figure out how many light sets you will need.
Once your plan is solid, gather all materials such as wires, extension cords, and all the tools you may need. Everything must be in your hands before you climb up a ladder. It is very important to use only outdoor Christmas lights. Check every wire and light, making sure there is no breakage or fraying. Replace any broken or burnt light before you decorate, including damaged extension cords.
Replacing old wires and insuring you have enough extension cords to go around helps to keep your property safe. The recommendation is three standard-size Christmas lights to one extension cord. This means no more than two hundred small lights or one hundred and fifty large lights. Plan how much you need beforehand.
If your plan includes wrapping trees with lights, keep in mind that small outdoor lights give off less heat saving your trees from becoming dry. The bigger the light, the more heat they give; use the larger lights sparingly on walls and around doors. Do not put the big lights around trees or plants as large lights may create a fire hazard. Do not use metallic trees and lights together as it is a definite fire hazard.
Clean the area from any dry leafs; including, any obstruction that may cause wires to fray or lights to break. Use fireproof surfaces. Be sure that all your light sets passed the manufacturer’s safety inspections it should be marked on the box. Install a timer with your lights, automatically turning them on and off when you are not at home. In addition, set up a time to shut off the lights at night when you are asleep keeping your home safer.
Having done all of the steps above, test your lighting once more insuring everything is up to par. Gather members of your family to help you with the joy of decorating, it’s a great way to start the holiday season as everyone can help, even the smallest hands. When finished decorating, celebrate with special treats to mark the occasion.
Do not forget to take pictures for beautiful lasting memories of your Christmas lights with the whole family there. Then you can just enjoy the special festive glow inside and out.
