Design & DIY 8 tips for hanging holiday lights By Allan Britnell Published: December 6, 2021 Updated: September 8, 2022 share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Copy Link Cancel View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 By Lisa F. Young/Shutterstock Ladder Safety 1 Whenever you’re working with electricity you should use a fibreglass or wooden ladder if you have one. Metal ladders can conduct electricity. Don’t forget to test each strand for burnt out bulbs on the ground before you start climbing. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 By Noraphat Vorakijroongroj/Shutterstock Ladder Safety 2 Check for wires or other overhead obstacles before setting up the ladder. Stand the ladder on even ground that’s free of ice, snow, or water so that it doesn’t slide out from under you. You should also have a spotter to support the ladder. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 By Africa Studio/Shutterstock LED bright Swap out old incandescent bulbs for LEDs. LEDs last about 20 times as long (so less time spent looking for dead bulbs), they consume about 90 per cent less electricity, and don’t get hot, eliminating a potential fire risk. Some LED sets are even colour-changing and come with controllers for adjustable light patterns. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 By A. Paula Andreea/Shutterstock Skip the wiring You can avoid having to get on a ladder at all by purchasing a projection light kit. As the name suggests, these ground-mounted systems project lights or images onto the building, often in a variety of patterns. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 By Lost_in_the_Midwest/Shutterstock String Theory Indoors or out, to avoid overheating, don’t connect more than three strands of lights in a row. For added safety, plug all of your lights into GFCI outlets. And never overload a single electrical outlet with multiple cords and extensions. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 By Roman Mikhailiuk/Shutterstock Exterior Grade To avoid a shocking situation, only use lights and extension cords that are rated for exterior use outdoors. Look for a UL or CSA label on the cord that indicates the rating. If the tag is missing and you’re in doubt, err on the side of caution. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 By Krupetch/Shutterstock Do Not Attempt Do not use a stapler or nails to secure your lights. You could pierce or fray the wires. Use plastic clips instead. Keep the cords from resting on the ground, particularly where you’ve joined two sets. But be wary of tripping hazards with elevated cords. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 By Aonnicha24/Shutterstock Lights Out Finally, don’t forget to turn off the lights whenever you go out or head to bed, or connect them to timers that automatically shut the lights off. View in Fullscreen Related galleries These cottages maximize every square inch with built-in storage Restoring this cedar log cabin on Lake Huron was a labour of love Let the light in: 5 ways Cottage Life readers brightened their outhouses 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 8 tips for hanging holiday lights Holiday lights help brighten the early winter nights. Here are some tips for safely lighting up your home or cottage. Featured Video Related Story How to warm up a cold floor Related Articles What Cottage Life staff have on their 2023 holiday wishlist this year General The best Christmas tree farms to visit in cottage country this year Outdoors 17 stocking stuffers that will actually fit in a stocking General Gift guide: 17 of the best Canadiana-themed gifts General