Each year as the holiday season nears, the sound of “Jingle Bells” serenades consumers in department stores and Christmas lights appear in the windows. Nothing gets people into the holiday spirit more than holiday lighting. To prevent Dads across the country from tragically hanging onto their houses, lights in hand and ladder on the ground, here are some great tips for safely hanging out outdoor string lighting on your home.

A great way to start is to form a plan. Where do you want the lights on your home? If need be, measure your home to make sure you have enough string lights to cover the desired area. Ensure that all lighting works before putting it up. Plug each string into an outlet and check for burnt out bulbs. After replacing the bad bulbs, set a ladder on a flat surface, and extend it into the full position. Start hanging lights on the ground, preferable using staples or nails. If using nails, hammer each nail only halfway into the exterior and drape lights over or around each nail. Carefully extend lights over each desired area, moving the ladder to other flat surfaces as the lights work their way across the house.

When the desired area has been covered, use an extension cord to connect the light string to outdoor outlet. The easiest way to ensure that the lights come on and off at appropriate times is to buy an automatic timer. There are types that are programmable and there are other types that read how much light is still in the sky. A solar timer can help save you money on electricity bills too. If a timer is not available, please remember to unplug the lights » Read more: Outdoor String Lighting Tips, Tricks And Techniques