Christmas is fast approaching. Your neighbour has already decorated their house like a winter wonderland.  Now yours looks dreary in comparison. It’s time to hang Christmas lights, but how do you do it safely. Here’s our guide to doing this all-important job safely.

How Will You Hang Christmas Lights?

Before you do anything, you need to think about how you want to hang your lights. Are they going to dangle from the roof or porch like pretty icicles, or are they going to frame your windows?

Once you’ve planned on how you’re going to hang your Christmas lights, think about what you’ll need to make the job easier. Without a doubt, we’d recommend:

Gutter Hooks or Clips

These will allow you to safely and easily hang your Christmas lights. All you need to do is space them at equal intervals and thread the lights through.

A Ladder

We know what you’re thinking, we would say that. But for jobs at height, like hanging Christmas lights from your guttering, we’d recommend using a ladder. Even if you’re only hanging the lights from the porch, standing on that wobbly chair just won’t do. Keep things safe and use a ladder that will give you the stability and reach you need.

Hanging Christmas Lights: Ladder Rules to Remember

  • Before you do anything, make sure you place your ladder on a firm and level surface. The last thing you want is for it to topple over when you’re mid-climb. 
  • If you think you can get away with using a stepladder to hang your Christmas lights, check first. Can you reach as high as you need to without standing on the top rung? We would never recommend standing on the top rung as you’ll be less stable.
  • If in doubt, enlist a helper to hold the ladder for you while you hang the lights. This reduces the chance of a nasty fall.

Which Ladder Do I Need?

Are you hanging your Christmas lights from the guttering? A roof ladder might be your best bet. However, if you’re not going higher than the porch or bottom windows, a stepladder should work fine. If you want to know more about the best ladders then check out our helpful guide!

We know you want to keep up with the neighbours and you want your house to look festive. Just make sure you have the tools you need and the safety rules in mind before you tackle the job. For more interesting articles on all things ladders, check out the rest of our blog.