Every year, a lot of people climb onto cold, wet roofs with a box of lights from the hardware store. Most of the time it goes fine. Sometimes it doesn't.
Here are five things to know before you put up lights this year:
- The roof is the risk, not the lights.
- Stay far away from power lines.
- Use outdoor-rated lights and cords.
- Know your circuit before you plug in.
- Don't staple or nail through the wire.
1. The roof is the risk, not the lights
Ladders on cold, damp or frosty shingles are where most holiday decorating injuries start.
- Set the ladder on level ground.
- Have someone foot it.
- Work in dry weather only.
If the job means standing on the roof itself, that is the point to call a pro.
2. Stay far away from power lines
Check where the service line meets your house before you set a ladder.
- Never lean a ladder anywhere near it.
- Never carry a long pole or metal light hanger anywhere near it.
3. Use outdoor-rated lights and cords
Indoor strings overheat and crack in the cold.
- Look for an outdoor rating on the box.
- Replace anything with frayed wire or cracked sockets.
4. Know your circuit
Do not daisy-chain extension cords or plug string after string into one outlet.
- Count the total wattage.
- Use a GFCI outlet.
- If a breaker trips, find out why before you reset it.
5. Don't staple or nail through the wire
Damaged insulation is how shorts and fires start.
- Use clips made for gutters, shingles or trim.
- Take everything down gently in January, because brittle cords crack.
Or hire a pro
A professional crew has the insurance, the ladders and lifts, commercial-grade lights and the experience to do the roofline safely. With a pro, you get:
- A clean, safe roofline install
- Lights that come down for you after the holidays
- Nobody in your family on the roof
Get a free holiday lighting quote
Penn Holiday Lights installs in Lancaster County and the surrounding area, including central Pennsylvania and Maryland. Our calendar fills up before Thanksgiving.
Request a free holiday lighting quote or call or text (717) 807-7050.