It’s that time of year again when you can cozy up on your front porch with a hot cup of cocoa and marshmallows over the holidays. The house smells of fresh baked cookies and presents are wrapped and gathered beneath the Christmas tree. Spread holiday cheer outdoors with some beautiful decorations and lights to better enjoy the festivities. Hanging up lights on the exterior of the house is fun for everyone in the family.
Here are some tips for hanging lights:
Take caution
As you gear up to install Christmas lights on the outside of your house make sure to use a sturdy ladder. Ask someone to hold the bottom of the ladder steady to be safe. Before you string the lights onto your home make sure to check the lights and see if there are any missing or burnt out bulbs. This will save you a large amount of time and energy. After you have installed your lights on your home remember to turn off the lights before you go to bed in the evening. If you are going on a trip over the holidays look for automatic timers to control when the lights turn on and off each day.
Outlet
Plug your lights into the ground-fault circuit interrupter because it uses a completely different fuse and it is there to protect people from electric shock. This will help prevent any electrical fires from occurring in your home. The ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is made specifically to monitor the electricity flowing through your home and to sense if there has been any loss of current.
If you don’t have one in your home already then you can always purchase a portable outdoor unit for your home to help keep your house safe. The GFCI will automatically shut the circuit down if there is any overcurrent of electricity flowing.
Extension cords
If you’re using extension cords make sure they are made to withstand rain and use tape across any walkways. Keep extension cords away from high-traffic areas. The last thing you need is someone tripping over an extension cord.
If you decide to string lights on your screened in porch in Melbourne, Florida make sure you use waterproof lights for the exterior of your home and make sure they are specifically rated for outdoor use. Don’t use indoor lights on the exterior of your home. Be careful over the holiday season and enjoy your time with your friends and family. Happy Holidays from Tripod Aluminum!
