Saturday, June 29, 2013

Easy Christmas Light Installation For Outside The Home

By Claudette Lambert


If you want your home to draw admiring stares this festive season, then knowing some easy Christmas light installation techniques is important. Whether you have a Victorian house or a town house, the style of decoration chosen largely depends on the type of home to be decorated.

Each house has a different character and style and is more suited to some lights than others. For example, a Victorian house is more likely to need a different style of Christmas lighting than, say, a ranch. Bear this in mind because your neighbors may well have lights that are suited to the style of housing in the neighborhood and if you shy away from the norm you may feel embarrassed.

The emphasis should normally be on using strings of lights as these seem to be the best way to improve the overall look of a house. Regardless of whatever style that is chosen, the lights need to be examined thoroughly before they are used, with the cords and wires scrutinized for any exposed or frayed leads.

The question of which power supply is best to use crops up frequently when discussing the installation of Christmas lights. The supply nearest the rooftop is usually best, but if you must use one to the side of your property then ensure the area is protected from wind, rain, snow, and any other potential hazards, like sprinklers.

Using the correct tools can help avoid serious injury. A solid, stable ladder is one of the most important things to use and it is probably best to have help, preferably someone to steady the ladder. As there is a fair amount of lifting involved, perhaps it's best to get someone who does not mind carrying things.

If working alone, one option is to use a bucket or basket to haul materials up and down as you work. Going up and down the ladder multiple times obviously increases the risk of falling so keep these trips to a minimum. If you cannot reach something do not lean over to try and reach it, the wise thing is to move the ladder rather than risk toppling and falling.

Attaching non-metallic fasteners to the property, ones that are moisture resistant is arguably the best way to go. Metallic fasteners not only rust, metal conducts electricity and they leave unsightly holes on the outside of the house. There are plenty of rubber and plastic fasteners on the market, the ones designed for hanging electrical cords are usually best. Remember to space them at equal distances before hanging up the lights.

The last element to simple Christmas light installation is to hang the lights. Most people are inclined to begin by starting at the source of power, following the row of fasteners. Of course, it is not just the house that needs decorating. There are trees, fences and plenty of other places that could do with a bit of brightening this festive season. As long as you use commonsense procedures, your Christmas should be free from any potential injury.




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