Christmas Rooftop Decoration Safety Tips

As Christmas approaches many people will be decorating the inside and outside of their home with bright lights and assorted decorations. As we approach Christmas and get into decorating, it is important to remember that safety is a priority, so if you are planning on decorating your rooftop this Christmas there are some tips to remember to stay safe.

As a person who lives in Ohio, I can tell you that ice, snow and sleet are all weather conditions that happen very often around the Christmas time of year, and this can be a safety issue. It is important to know the weather conditions outside and on your roof before you go up there to hang your Christmas decorations. A lot of people will put up Christmas decorations right after Thanksgiving due to the safety risk of the snow and ice forming on the roof in the month of December. With the changing weather that happens really close to Christmas always avoid hanging up your rooftop Christmas decorations when snow, sleet, and ice are possible and if you must decorate your rooftop during those possible conditions be sure to clean the area well with a shovel for the ice and snow and lay a towel down if it is wet.

The winter and Christmas means snow and cold weather, which can hamper your ability to properly install the Christmas lights to electrical outlets. It is important if you are installing Christmas lights, to make sure that the Christmas light plug is not wet or has not touched the wet ground and check all the lights inside to make sure they work correctly. Some people get very busy and just want to hang up Christmas lights not thinking of possible risk of fire either by electrocution from a wet plug or outlet.

It is also important when you are hanging Christmas lights or lighted decorations on your roof, to check all cords for possible frays, rips or tears. Although the Christmas lights or lighted decorations can still come on sometimes even when the cords are damaged, this is a big fire hazard and a big risk you are taking. If you check over your cords very well and make sure they are in proper working condition, you cut risk of an electrical fire and also shorts in the lights. If you see any possible frays or damaged areas on your light cords, replace them immediately and do not try to hang them up even if it is for a few days until you can get another set.

Installing Christmas lights or other decorations on a rooftop also means you probably are going to be using a ladder. Ladders are very dangerous if not used properly or if you are in too big of a hurry so it is important you give yourself enough time in the daylight hours to climb on your ladder and install your Christmas rooftop decorations. A lot of people will need someone to hold the bottom of the ladder to ensure that all possible safety precautions are taken so that you do not fall. Having someone hold the bottom of the ladder is also important if the ground is moist or possibly covered in a light snow. Ladders also require that you use them on a flat surface for a safety precaution, so make sure the ground you are sitting the ladder on is flat and that there is no slope in the area which could cause the ladder to become unbalanced.

While we are on the subject of using a ladder, it is also important that your shoes are proper for the ladder and proper for the working environment. When you are using a ladder and going on a roof, it is important you wear shoes that are skid-resistant or shoes made for construction work like a good pair of working boots. If you are hanging a decoration from your roof then you need to make sure you do not slip and fall off of the roof, and your shoes are a very important safety tool for this process. Due to the weather possibly being snowy or wet in the Christmas season; your shoes need to reflect the weather to ensure that your shoes will stay where you put your feet.

If you are installing Christmas decorations on a roof it is also possible you will be using extension cords, which also carry a potential safety hazard. To ensure you are safe while you install Christmas decorations on your roof, you should only use those extension cords that are specifically made for outdoor use and weather-resistant. A lot of times the outdoor extension cords will be in the store around the Christmas decoration area so that you will not use the regular indoor extension cords which is a fire hazard.

Also, make sure you are doing your Christmas rooftop decorations while someone else is around. You should have someone outside with you holding your ladder anyways, but if you choose not to you still should make sure someone is home and knows you are outside hanging up Christmas lights on the rooftop. If you are by yourself you could risk injury by falling or slipping or trying to do everything at once, and then if no one is home it could be a very bad situation. Letting someone in the house know what you are doing on the roof will help keep you safe because you can always ask for their help as well as be reassured if something goes wrong, there is someone at your house to help.

Electrical outlets are also important if you are installing Christmas decorations on your rooftop this Christmas season. You should only use the GFI outlets, which are extra resistant to fire and electrical shock. GFI outlets are very common in newer houses and usually say right on the panel that it is GFI and if you are unsure then ask a professional like an electrician.

If you are installing Christmas decorations that are electrical, it is also important to turn off your electrical switch to your house. This might not be the most necessary thing you should do but it will help cut the risk of electrocution to you if you turn off the the light switch in your electrical panel, or at least turn the switch off to that part of the house where you are running the cords. By turning off the electric to that room you have the Christmas decorations hooked up to you can help reduce the risk of injury to yourself and also reduce the risk of electrical fires. If you have checked all of your decorations and found them all to be in good working order, then you should not have a big risk of electrocution or fire, but to be on the safe side just turn the electrical switch off.

Working outside also means you are working out in the elements, which can be a safety hazard in itself. If you are installing Christmas decorations on the roof this Christmas season, it is important to dress appropriately. Although this seems like a very easy thing to do as a preventative measure, a lot of people fail to do this. If the weather is cold, which is probably will be, make sure you are dressed in a long-sleeved shirt and some blue jean pants or warm fleece pants. Also, wear protective gear like earmuffs, hats, and scarfs. I would not recommend wearing gloves because the gloves could possibly cause you to slip while walking up the ladder or possibly you could slip on what you are trying to hang onto and slip with the tools you are using. Just be smart when it comes to wearing warm clothing and make sure you do not dress light just because it will weigh you down, because most people who hang up Christmas decorations on their roof are going to be up there a while and you want to make sure your body stays warm.