Can you believe it is almost time for the holidays? It seemed like just yesterday we were pulling out the swimsuits and sunscreen. But Christmas will be here before we know it and along with it all the festivities of the season including decorating the home. Putting up Christmas lights is one of the most popular ways to celebrate.

Hanging those red and green bulbs though can be more dangerous than you think. Not only is there a spike in ladder-related falls and injuries, lights can pose a fire hazard as well as damage the exterior of the home. Who knew spreading holiday cheer could be such a dangerous job?

One of the area’s most prone to unintentional damage is the gutters. If you don’t take care when stringing the lights, your gutters can bear the brunt of your haphazardness. It is important for every homeowner to know the correct way to hang their Christmas lights and avoid costly gutter damage.

Follow these guidelines for correctly hanging Christmas lights on your gutters.

Before you start working:

• Check your lights for any burnt out bulbs or frayed cords. Damaged strings can pose a fire hazard to your home and running up and down a ladder to replace bulbs is never fun.
• Make sure to place your ladder on level ground and on the side nearest to the outlet.
• Gather all the supplies you will need: light bulbs, gutter clips and extension cords.
• Select the right light clip by choosing either a gutter-specific clip or an all-in-one option.
• Replace any broken gutter sections before hanging lights on them. The weight of the strands can cause further damage to an already compromised system.
• Best practices for protecting your gutters:
• Keep the string taunt as you go along the length of the home. This helps ensure a secure installation.
• Use only specially-designed clips to attach the lights. Never use staples, nails or clothespins to mount the strands onto your gutters.
• Make sure your gutters can handle the load. Lights that are too heavy can weigh down the gutters causing them to sag or detach from the home.

For those with gutter guards installed:

• Attaching clips to gutter guards can be difficult. When possible, hang lights from your shingles rather than the gutters.
• Some gutter guards have an overhanging lip that makes clip placement nearly impossible. Make sure you buy clips that go either straight up or straight out to avoid the overhang.
• Moisture-resistant adhesive clips can be a good option for those that can’t hang clips onto their gutters guards or shingles.

At GutterSupply.com, we know how much you value protecting your gutter system. That’s why we help our customers enjoy a safe and festive holiday season by offering all the supplies needed to safely hang the Christmas lights. From professional ladders to gutter replacement parts, our extensive selection of gutter supplies has everything you need. Browse our catalog to learn more about the many quality gutter products GutterSupply.com carries.