Q&A for How to Put up Christmas Lights Outside

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  • Question
    What are some tips for installing an outdoor outlet on your home?
    James Hornof
    Master Electrician
    James Hornof is a Master Electrician and the Owner and President of B & W Electric based in Denver, Colorado. With over two decades of experience in the electrical construction industry, James specializes in field installation, management, estimating, and design. He graduated top of his class in electrical trade school and studied Business Management at The Community College of Denver. James holds a Master Electrician license in Colorado, Wyoming, and Texas.
    Master Electrician
    Expert Answer
    First, make sure that it's ground-fault protected, weather-resistant and tamper-resistant. It needs to be in a weatherproof electrical box and have a cover. It should be the type of cover that allows the cord to be plugged in and the cover closed over it.
  • Question
    Is it safe to string outdoor lights on aluminum porch railing? (The railing has baked on enamel paint.)
    Community Answer
    Yes, that is fine, as long as the lights and cords have a good insulator, such as plastic, or rubber.
  • Question
    Why do my Christmas lights keep knocking off my power?
    Community Answer
    You might be using too much energy to charge the lights. Try reducing the number of Christmas lights per power source.
  • Question
    Will it be safe if it is raining or if there is lightning?
    Community Answer
    It would be not safe because they are plugged in to your house and could shock you or cut out your power.
  • Question
    Should I put up lights or garland first?
    Community Answer
    Usually, you would put your Christmas lights up before any of the other decorations.
  • Question
    Do I use separate extension cords when I have multiple lighted characters in the yard, or do I use some kind of outside power strip?
    Community Answer
    You could use both, but make sure that the power strip is an outdoor power strip.
  • Question
    What can I do to secure an outdoor electrical connection from the weather?
    Community Answer
    First, eliminate as many outdoor connections as possible. Buying longer extension cords might seem frivolous, but they can be used in warmer months for outdoor appliances. Wrap all connections with electrical tape. Cover the connectors and the seam with several layers of electrical tape to keep out light precipitation. This should also ensure that connections don’t wriggle loose. Raise all connections 12 inches above the ground to ensure that small amounts of standing water or snow can’t breach the connection. Periodically check connections to make sure they are still snug and dry. Consider covering connections with an overturned plastic bucket. but remember that water may flow under the bucket.
  • Question
    Is it safe to wrap lights around metal railings?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it's safe as long as you make sure to purchase lights with a good insulator.
  • Question
    How do I put Christmas lights on my gutters?
    Community Answer
    You buy special clips which attach to the gutters. Usually they are universal and also attach to the roof shingles.
  • Question
    Can I buy any type of Christmas decorations and program them to music?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Yes. It's the switch you plug the lights into that controls whether the lights are on or off. So if you connect that switch to your music control panel, you can set the lights to chase the beat, twinkle, flash, anything really.
  • Question
    Can I plug my indoor outdoor lights outside around the door?
    Community Answer
    Yes, of course! You can plug them in anywhere you want. But I have a little suggestion: Don’t plug it in the whole night because the temperature inside the circuit may get to high and burn and catch on fire!
  • Question
    How can I put Christmas lights around my windows and door without using nails ?
    Community Answer
    You can put light drops of glue on the string and stick it above or around the window without having it show. Make sure it’s removable glue though.
  • Question
    How to hang up Christmas lights out side around the electrical system?
    Rudy Toth
    Community Answer
    Make sure the box states "Outdoor" lights only since that's waterproof electrical lines. You can use a staple gun to string up the lights. Or you can get those clips with nails to hammer them up outside on a permanent bases. Start from the plug outlet first, that way you won't end up short.
  • Question
    How do you hang icicle lights when gutter guards are on gutters? There is no way to use clips.
    Rudy Toth
    Community Answer
    You could try gluing them up there with that crazy glue product. It will take some time to get it to stick up there so you might need to hold them in place one at time.
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