CREATE A MASTER PLAN
Look at your house from the street or take a photograph to make an overall plan. First, consider adding lights along eaves, pillars, posts, windows and doors to highlight architectural features. Next, look at bushes, trees, window boxes and planters. Finally, check out lighting for paths as well as stand-alone figures.
FIND BALANCE
Know how many lights look good depending on the size of your house, don’t cover your house to the point where the exterior is flooded by light.
CONSIDER THE BACKYARD
The backyard can also be a great place to hang lights, or inflatable Christmas decorations or even plant some festive plants and small bushes.
MEASURE
Try to get a realistic measure of how many lights you’ll use. One way to determine lighting for trees is to multiply the height by the width and then double that figure to get the square footage.
ASSESS
Check to make sure your lights and cords are in good repair and rated for outdoor use. Read manufacturer recommendations to determine the number of lights you can safely string together. Never connect different types of lights on the same circuit or outlet.
POWER UP
Outdoor lights should be plugged into circuits protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). To avoid running cords everywhere, try power stakes — portable devices that bring power where you need it.
CHOOSE PLASTIC
Trade in your hammer and nails for plastic clips that safely secure lighting to walls.
STAY SAFE
Work with a partner or hang a bucket with an S hook to your ladder to hold supplies. When possible, use an extension pole to keep your feet on the ground. Finally, don’t decorate trees that touch power lines.
And most importantly from everyone hear at Heaton Dainard have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
