It’s the most wonderful time of the year and that means it's time to hang up the Christmas lights! Before you climb up on your roof, check out this blog post to find the best ways to keep yourself, and your roof, safe!

Use Common Sense

The first step in keeping yourself safe while hanging lights is to use common sense. Make sure you have the proper equipment for the job, such as a stable ladder. Take the extra precautions of moving the ladder instead of trying to lean and reach to help minimize the risks of falling. It’s always wise to have someone with you when you are climbing on ladders as they can assist you in holding the ladder when needed, handing you supplies, and just generally being a second set of eyes to help keep yourself safe. According to the U.S. Consumer Product safety commission nearly half (41%!) of holiday season decorating incidents included falls! 

Choose the Right Fastener For the Job

Whenever you are hanging Christmas lights you want to avoid nailing or screwing items directly into your roof or gutters. Those holes create access points for moisture that can cause more extensive damage down the road. You never want to pierce or nail anything into your shingles as this will completely compromise the effectiveness of your roof. 

The best case scenario is to use plastic fasteners on your gutters to hang your lights. Hanging your lights on your gutters ensures that your shingles do not sustain any damage. There are a variety of different kinds that you can use, such as these all in one clips that can be used on gutters. Another alternative includes adhesive backed clips like these Command hooks for lights that can be put up and removed without damaging your home. 

Another option is to use a roof clip that is meant to slide underneath the shingles. This is the least favorable option in terms of preventing damage to your roof. If you do choose to use them, you will want to opt for plastic clips that can cause the least amount of damage to your shingles. Never force or lift your shingles up to insert a clip. Remember that your shingles are meant to be firmly affixed to your roof to provide adequate protection. Be wary of clips that dig into the tops of your asphalt shingles and they may remove the granules on top of your shingles, and in doing so, compromise the life of your asphalt shingle. 

We have installed our fair share of metal roofs in Central Oregon and there are options for you, too! If you have a metal roof, did you know that they make magnetic Christmas light holders like the ones that can be found here! 

Be Careful if Walking on Your Roof

If possible, try to avoid walking on your roof. If you do need to walk on your roof, then ensure that you are wearing soft soled shoes with good grip such as basketball or running shoes. This is especially true in winter as cold weather can often lead to slippery situations! 

The older your roof is, the less you should be walking on it. This is due to the fact that the older a roof is, the more susceptible the shingles are to damage. As asphalt shingles age, the granules begin to come off and the more brittle and fragile the shingles become.   In general, the less you can walk on your roof the better it is for your roof.

In conclusion, being mindful of safety precautions,  utilizing common sense, and having the right tools for the job will enable you to keep both yourself, and your roof, safe while enjoying the seasonal lights!