Our Social Media news feed has been blowing up since Nov 1st with people debating is it too soon to decorate for Christmas. It seems half our news feed would decorate all year long while the other half waits until the day after Thanksgiving.
It doesn’t matter if you fit better with the Grinch or Who’s. As your local roofer we want to take a moment and remind everyone of safety measures when hanging up Christmas lights on your roof this year.
To avoid you falling from the roof like a Christmas Classic movie. We have put together some safety tips for hanging your lights this year. Rather this is your first time or 40th, hanging lights on your roof, safety is important. Below are helpful tips for you to keep in mind when hanging your Christmas lights this year.
Check Your Lights
First thing you should do when taking your lights out of the attic or store packaging is to check and make sure they are not tangled and all working. The last thing you want to do is get on your roof with tangled lights or broken ones.
If you are going to line your roof with lights. The last thing you will want to do is have to detangle lights. No matter what your roof pitch is, we recommend this be done on the ground.
Clean your Roof and Gutters
Before hanging your Christmas lights make sure that you have a clean roof and gutters. The last thing you want to do is climb onto your roof and slip-on algae, pine needles, leaves or other debris. This can help eliminate any slips and falls that can occur.
Inspect Your Roof
Whether you are decorating a Residential Roof or Commercial Roof you want to make sure you inspect it or have a local roofing company inspect it. Why should you inspect your roof or gutters?
If an accident is going to happen it’s likely going to happen because of something being overlooked. Make sure you check to see that there are no loose shingles, moss growth, rotten decking or anything else that could become a hazard while hanging your lights. If you see something hazardous and feel like you need a true roof inspection, contact your trusted roofing professional to have an inspection done.
Putting your lights up
Once you have checked your roof and lights it is time to start hanging them. This can become a daunting task and we recommend keeping it simple if this is your first time. Remember we aren’t trying to look like the Griswold’s family home from National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.
Now if a house that lights up the block is something you are looking for, here are a few more helpful tips we find helpful.
Ladder Safety
Make sure you use the appropriate ladder to access your roof. Never stack ladders on something to get higher. Use the recommended ladder and PPE to get on and off your roofing system.
What NOT to Use
Never use nails, screws or tacks to hold your lights in place. This can void warranties and harm the integrity of your roof by putting holes in your shingles, fascia or soffit. Make sure you are using something that will hold to your roofing or gutter system without harming the integrity.
When to Hang your Lights
It’s important to find a good time to hang your lights and decorations. Avoid decorating when you have a wet or damp roof. This can easily become a slip hazard. Wait until the roof is dry before getting on top of it. This means avoiding your roof after a rain, snow, or other damp circumstances.
Never decorate after dark! Hanging lights after dark can be a hazard for you and anyone helping you. Make sure you hang your lights during a time when you have lots of light and can see what you’re doing, as well as your surroundings.
Never over Charge your Outlets
Make sure when you are hanging your lights that you have already thought about where they are going to be plugged in. You don’t want to plug several lights into the same outlet. This can become a fire hazard for your home.
Time to Enjoy
Once you have hung your lights it’s time to call the family out to enjoy them. No matter when you decorate we hope you guys practice safety on your roof. Remember this is supposed to be a joyous time of year. We promise people only walk away unharmed in movies. A fall from the roof will be a nice ER visit so be safe and have fun!
