The calendar has flipped over into December, and that means it’s time to get your house into the Christmas spirit. One of the most popular ways to do so? String up an array of Christmas lights onto your roof. That way, you can really light up the night and make an impression on those who pass by.
Of course, as is the case with any activity involving your roof, there is a degree of care that you need to take. Here are a few tips for how you can install your Christmas lights safely:
Make sure your roof is cleared of all sizable debris
All kinds of hazards emerge from a roof that contains external materials. Tree branches or pebbles that may have fallen onto your roof at some point need to be cleared off, as they pose the threat of being blown over toward your decorations by the wind and knocking them over. Even something as simple as a few dead leaves could weave its way down to the string of lights and catch on fire. It’s also worth taking a look at your roof after your decorations have been put up to make sure no debris subsequently fell onto it.
Clean your gutters beforehand
If you’re hanging your Christmas decorations from your gutter, it’s imperative that you make certain the gutters are not clogged. Even though a cord and a bunch of miniature colored lightbulbs may not look heavy, it’s still an additional quantity of weight on your gutters. And if your gutters accumulate too much weight, you’re going to wind up needing to replace them instead of simply cleaning them out. Take the extra five minutes to inspect those gutters and make sure they’re all cleared of junk before stringing up your Christmas decorations. If you aren’t able to get up there and inspect them yourself, have a professional do it for you.
Do not hang Christmas lights from your roof in wet weather
The problems that rain or snow can cause while you’re trying to hang your Christmas lights are more hazardous than is worth your while. A slippery ladder increases your chances of a fall and a needless trip to the emergency room. On top of that, a rainy day means that the sky will be darker, giving you less of an ability to see exactly what it is that you’re doing. Your best bet is to wait for the clouds to dissipate and the sun to shine, so you can clearly see everything you need to see- and are much less likely to slip and fall.
Have someone spot you while on your roof
Even in perfect weather, anytime you need to climb a ladder to complete a chore or task, you should always use a spotter. The job of the spotter is to make sure the ladder remains steady at all times, and keep you safe- and potentially could even catch you or at least slow your fall if you do lose your balance. The spotter can also serve as an extra pair of hands to keep long strings or cords off the grass and feed them to you seamlessly.
