The holidays are a magical time of year, filled with festive decorations, evenings by the fire, and time with loved ones. One of the best ways to spread holiday cheer outside your home is by putting up dazzling Christmas lights. But while festooning your home with twinkling bulbs is a beloved tradition, it’s important to hang Christmas lights properly and safely.
At Valley Christmas Lights, we have years of experience providing stellar Christmas light installation services in Paradise Valley, AZ and surrounding areas. We know all the insider tricks and tips for executing a breathtaking lighting display that wows your neighbours and delights passersby without stress or safety hazards. Below, we’re sharing our top tips for smoothly hanging Christmas lights on your property.
Inspect Last Year’s Lights
Before stringing up this year’s lights, thoroughly inspect the ones leftover from last holiday season. Check for broken bulbs, frayed wires, loose connections or damaged plugs. It’s better to identify any faulty lights now rather than when you’re teetering atop a ladder stringing them up. Replace any damaged string lights so all the lights you install are in safe, working order.
Create A Lighting Plan
Having an outdoor lighting design plan is crucial for pulling off an eye-catching display. Map out on paper where you want to hang lights. Consider lighting up trees, bushes, garlands along rain gutters, doorway frames, columns, fencing and other exterior architectural elements. Figure out how many light strands you’ll need for each area. Planning everything in advance makes installing lights less frustrating and time-consuming.
Use Proper Hardware
When attaching Christmas lights outside, use mounting hardware specifically designed for the job. Light clips and hooks prevent dangling wires and keep connections intact in outdoor weather conditions. Avoid using nails or basic household staples, which can damage fixtures and won’t grip lights securely. Invest in quality Christmas light hangers for clean, consistent installations.
Follow Weather Guidelines
While it’s tempting to put lights up the minute December rolls around, pay attention to weather conditions first. Avoid hanging lights in high winds, which can blow unsecured ladders and create unsafe installations. Don’t install lights in heavy rain or extreme cold, which can harm exposed wires and electrical connections. Ideal conditions for hanging exterior Christmas lights are dry weather with temperatures above 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Use Proper Ladders & Tools
The right ladder and tools also prevent safety issues when hanging outdoor Christmas lights. Opt for sturdy, extended ladders rather than rickety step stools or chairs, which can lead to dangerous falls. Make sure ladders are placed on even, secure ground rather than casually leaning on gutters or uneven turf. Have helpers stabilize the base of ladders as you work. Use insulated installation tools so you don’t get shocked handling live wires and bulbs. Taking proper precautions leads to injury-free light hanging.
Check for Power Access
When designing your outdoor lighting display, make sure there are exterior power outlets available spaced throughout the areas you want to illuminate. Have a sufficient number of surge protector power strips on hand so you don’t overload electrical circuits. Ensure all extension cords and outlets used are rated for outdoor use to prevent tripped breakers, power failures or electrical malfunctions that could damage lights.
Use Light Controller Systems
For extra visual wow factor, invest in an outdoor light controller system. These allow you to digitally program lighting elements by zone and create custom color schemes, animations, music synchronization and interactive displays controlled right from your smartphone. Hiring a professional Christmas light installer like Valley Christmas Lights ensures controller systems are hooked up properly so high-tech light shows run flawlessly all season.
Focus On High-Impact Areas
When deciding which architectural elements to adorn with lights, focus efforts on high-impact zones first. Prioritize lighting up exterior focal points like large trees, entryways, rooflines and front-facing gables visible from the street. Wrapping bushes and columns framing driveway entrances in lights also grabs attention. Play up your property’s best features to make holiday lighting shine.
Safely Secure Cords & Wires
While draping bushes and railings in lights creates a magical glittering effect, don’t just toss loose light strings on landscape elements. Properly secure wiring with ties along the backs of shrubs, down building corners and along roof edges so wires stay neatly in place all season. Hide extension cords under mulch and away from foot traffic to prevent tripping hazards. Professionally securing wires keeps your display tidier while preventing detached strands or damaged cords.
Regularly Check Displays
Once your spectacular Christmas light display is glowing, check on it periodically to ensure everything remains secure and in working order all season long. Snipped wires, unclipped strands and burnt-out bulbs can arise over time. Conduct regular inspections, making any needed repairs quickly so your lights keep dazzling without safety issues or unsightly lapses.
Take Proper Precautions
When installing exterior Christmas lights yourself, exercise common sense safety. Work during daylight hours with a partner, resting between strenuous high-ladder tasks rather than over-exerting yourself to finish quickly. Keep first aid kits and charged phones within reach in case of minor injuries or emergencies. Know when lighting projects are beyond your skill level and require hiring professional installers for everyone’s safety.
Dazzle This Season With Pro Lighting Services
Why risk personal injury or faulty lighting displays when our team of seasoned installers can expertly illuminate your home? Valley Christmas Lights has helped Paradise Valley, AZ residents execute jaw-dropping lighting designs for over a decade. Our certified technicians use commercial-grade materials for unparalleled visual pop along with automatic controllers to animate dazzling Christmas lights installation displays set perfectly to music. For sensational lighting everyone will talk about without safety worries, choose Valley Christmas Lights!