The beginning of the holiday season is upon us. Christmas is a festive time for many, filled with social gatherings, gifts, and extravagant decorations. Do you decorate for Christmas? Will this be your first time hanging Christmas lights on the gutter of your home? Whether this is your first year decorating or if you have done it in the past, this article is here to provide helpful tips for hanging lights on your home’s gutters safely. Not only will we provide homeowners with tips for hanging lights from gutters, but we will also give guidance on safely achieving your goals. Let’s start by taking a trip back in time to discover the history of Christmas lights, how they have changed since their invention, and how they have evolved into the incredible displays we enjoy today.
The History of Christmas Lights
Origin: In Germany during the 18th century, people would light candles and place them in their windows and on their Christmas tree inside their homes. This was the original Christmas light.
Evolution Over Time: In 1882, a partner of Thomas Edison, by the name of Edward H. Johnson, put together the first string of electrical Christmas lights to replace candles. In 1894, the first White House Christmas tree was lit with electrical bulbs. Due to the expense, most Americans did not decorate the outside of their homes until the 1940s and 50s when the lights became more affordable.
Modern Displays: The technological advances of our modern times have allowed for extravagant light displays that we have grown accustomed to enjoying. These advances have led to light displays with LED lights, synchronized shows with music, and unique designs.
The Importance of Safe Christmas Light Installation
Safety Risks of Improper Installation: Safety risks to consider when installing Christmas lights on your gutters involve personal risks and risks to your property. Falling from an unstable or unsecured ladder can cause significant harm to you. Over 18,000 emergency room visits are made every year from Christmas decorating, with 40% of the visits involving falls.
If lights are not properly secured or the wrong tools are used, gutter damage can occur. Improper usage of electrical cords and overloading outlets are two of many ways electrical fires can occur from using Christmas lights. Close to 800 fires are caused every year by improperly used indoor and outdoor Christmas lights, resulting in injuries, death, and millions in property damage.
Why Safety Matters: The importance of protecting yourself and your home before, during, and after installation cannot be overstated. The holiday season, meant for the enjoyment of spending invaluable time with loved ones, can be greatly disrupted by an accident. Avoiding injury to yourself and damage to your home should be the priority when decorating for Christmas.
The Dos and Don’ts for Hanging Christmas Lights on Gutters
Dos:
– Make a plan. Imagine what color of lights you want and the style variation. You can even sketch what you are visualizing.
– Perform an inspection of your gutters, clean them if they are filled with debris, and make any repairs needed before light installation.
– Gather all the supplies you will need before starting your project. This includes measuring your gutters and calculating the number of light strands needed. You will also want to have a sturdy ladder, weather-resistant electrical cords, gutter clips or hooks, yard stakes, gloves, and non-slip shoes.
– Have a partner with you. It is a good idea to have someone there to help out if you need an extra hand or call for help if something goes wrong.
– Know the wattage needs of your light strands and also the limit on your outlets to avoid overloading the electrical components and the potential of fire hazards.
– Test all the lights before hanging them on the gutters. It would be a real pain in the butt to spend all that time hanging Christmas lights on your gutters just for them to have an issue from the manufacturer and not work. So it’s best to test them before the installation and ensure they all work.
– Use the proper clips for your gutter type. If you have gutter guards installed, use the appropriate clip to avoid damaging the gutter, or choose a magnetic option where plastic clips are not needed.
– Check with your HOA and local regulations and ordinances for compliance and time restrictions. Many HOAs will have specific rules on what lights you can use, how many you can use, etc… It’s a good idea to get this figured out before spending the time and money on your Christmas light installation.
– Hang your lights early, preferably while the weather is still decent. Now that we are already in December and winter is here, choose a clear day to perform the work.
Don’ts:
– Never start without a plan, this project will go so much smoother with the right plan, tools, and help in place.
– You should not hang your Christmas lights on the gutters if they are damaged and need to be repaired. Get these issues addressed by a local gutter contractor first. Hanging lights on damaged gutters could cause more damage or worsen the existing damage.
– Never work alone or without the proper safety equipment. The use of improper equipment, like unstable ladders, can result in accidents and injuries.
– Never use tools like staple guns or nail guns to hang the lights. This will not only severely damage your gutter system and create expensive repairs, but one little mistake can also ruin a whole strand of lights. There is no need to use these tools; there are many different plastic clips on the market that are safe to use.
– Avoid using indoor Christmas lights for the exterior of your home. Outdoor lights are built to handle the specific weather conditions of winter, and being Ludington residents, we know these conditions can be harsh.
– Never use a clip that interferes with the gutter’s function. Even though they now have a festive function by holding your Christmas lights, they still need to be able to perform their main function, which is to direct rain and melted snow away from your home. If the gutter clips you have chosen look like they could potentially interfere with the gutter’s main function, it’s best to play it safe and choose a clip that is guaranteed to allow the gutter to perform.
– Avoid hanging lights during bad weather, like when it’s windy, snowing, or icey.
Safety Tips for Hanging Lights
– Prepare by cleaning all the Fall debris out of the gutter system. If professional service is needed, contact a Ludington gutter company.
– Ensure that the ladder is always placed on stable ground. While you are on the ladder, make sure you have a spotter on the ground holding the ladder for you.
– Use a simple three-point contact rule, keeping two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand on the ladder surface at all times.
– Always use outdoor-rated extension cords and lights to ensure a safe connection.
– Keep cords away from puddles and use yard stakes to keep them pinned closely to the ground.
– Move the ladder often to avoid overreaching.
Final Touches and Maintenance
– Consistent spacing of clips and maintaining a straight line with the light cord will create a polished finished look.
– Make sure all connections are secure, adding zip-ties for extra stability in windy areas.
– Regularly check lights for damaged or burnt-out bulbs throughout the season.
– Remove your lights at the end of the season using the same safety guidelines.
As you gear up to deck the halls and the gutters this festive season, remember the joy and beauty of the holiday can be safely achieved with proper planning and precautions. By using the guidelines we have outlined in this article, you can create a stunning holiday light display that will bring cheer to your home and your neighborhood. Ensure the safety and integrity of your home while hanging Christmas lights this year, allowing you to fully enjoy the magic of the holiday season. Happy (and safe) light hanging, and may your holidays be festive and bright.