If you’re planning on getting a head-start on hanging your holiday lights this year, we’ve dug up some tips to help you:
• Check the lights first — this will allow you to find any burnt out bulbs and replace them before you hang them up.
• Map out where you want your lights to be. Take into account corners, eaves and shrubs/trees.
• Locate the electrical outlets you need, and run extension cords. It’s not a bad idea to try using outlets that are hooked up to switches do you can easily turn your lights on and off.
• Setup your ladder on a safe surface, and ensure you can easily reach the eaves and other areas you need (probably best to have a spotter, especially in bad weather).
• Light clips, available at most home improvement stores, will allow you to apply lights to eaves and keep them there.
And a couple other things to keep in mind:
• If entire lengths of light strings are not working, it is not a matter of replacing bulbs, there is a faulty fuse or wire.
• Make things easier on yourself for next year, and when you go to store them again, wind them.
