There are two kinds of people in the world: those who break the world up into two kinds of people, and those who don't.
That said, there are two kinds of people around Christmas: those who prepare in early fall, and those who wait until the week before.
If you're the first kind of person, you're probably planning to put up Christmas lights very soon--if you haven't already. Did you know that every year, hundreds of homes are destroyed by faulty Christmas lights? Here are some basic tips to keep in mind. For those of you who are late-comers, you can put this in your back pocket until December 20th.
1. Take it seriously: It's easy to get out there and just get it done; or enjoy it over a glass or two of wine or beer. Whatever your tradition is, try to be as careful as you can. Being careless or cutting corners could lead to unintended consequences.
2. Test your lights: You want to make sure your lights work before hanging them, as well as ensure that you don't have any frayed wires from the previous year. If you do, it's time to replace them. Once you've tested your lights, you're ready to hang them.
3. Use caution on the step ladder: Have someone assist you if you're going to be on a step ladder for an extended period of time. If you've had a few brown pops while watching the football game before heading out there, it's probably a good idea to give yourself a few hours before getting up 10 feet on the rickety ladder you still haven't replaced from the 70s.
4. Avoid big 7-volt light bulbs: Sure they're cool and bright, but they can start fires, especially when around dried up leaves and foliage. Stick to the Christmas lights--they may not be as exciting, but they'll be safe.
5. Outdoor lights only: Use only Christmas lights that are for outdoor use; indoor lights will not be able to withstand extreme weather conditions--especially if you're the kind of person who waits till summer holidays to take them down.
6. Use proper hooks: We've come a long way since the 70s and 80s when tacks and nails were common practice--now we have hooks! They're important to use, because you can tightly secure your lights to them and they won't be blown around by the wind.
7. Outdoor extension cords only: If in a pinch you're unplugging the extension cords from your home theatre to use for your outdoor Christmas lights, then you know you've got more than one problem. Make sure you only use an outdoor extension cord. And never plug more than 3 cords into one extension.
8. Proper pulling technique: Never remove strings of lights by pulling on the cords--this can snap the wire from the bulb and damage it.
9. Teach your kids: Let's face it: "Ooh--shiny!" Let's face it: it's the kids who we decorate the house for. Be sure to include them in the process, and teach them the safety tips as you go along.
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