You must take care of your holiday lights if you want to spend more time enjoying the season and less time troubleshooting. Whether you’re decorating your home or business for the first time or you’ve been doing it for years, a little preparation goes a long way toward keeping your lighting display shining bright all season.
Here’s a simple checklist showing you how to maintain your holiday lights:
Before Decorating (Pre-Season Prep)
- Inspect each strand: Check your lights for frayed wires, cracked bulbs or damaged plugs before hanging them.
- Test your lights: Before decorating, ensure that your lights actually work. It’s easier to replace bad bulbs and fuses now than after you’ve already hung everything.
- Use outdoor-rated cords: When hanging lights outdoors, make sure you’re using extension cords specifically made for outdoor use. Also, plug them into outlets that have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to prevent electric shock.
- Hang them safely: Instead of using nails or staples to hang your lights, use special clips or hooks that are designed for holiday lights. These clips are safer, easier to use and can be reused as needed. Nails and staples can damage the wires and create a fire hazard.
During the Season (Mid-Season Upkeep)
- Avoid overloading outlets: Check the manufacturer’s instructions for how many light strands can be connected safely. Overloading outlets can trip breakers or cause a fire hazard.
- Protect connections: Keep all plugs and cords elevated off wet ground and sheltered from rain and snow.
- Check periodically: Walk around your display every few weeks and look for dim or flickering sections, sagging strands or loose clips. Addressing small issues early prevents larger problems later.
- Handle carefully: Always unplug lights before replacing bulbs or making adjustments. Handle each strand gently to avoid cracking sockets or breaking bulbs.
After the Holidays (Storage Tips)
- Take down gently: Don’t pull or yank your lights from their hooks when taking them down. Remove them carefully to keep the wiring intact and untangled.
- Store safely: Coil the lights neatly and store them away from moisture, direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Proper storage helps prevent corrosion and keeps your lights ready for next season.
Contact Perfect Power Wash for Your Holiday Lighting Needs
While DIY upkeep helps keep your lights in top shape, professional maintenance makes the work easier. Perfect Power Wash offers professional holiday light installation and an industry-best warranty that includes maintenance service for your protection. If a strand goes out or a bulb burns during the season, we’ll come to your home or business and fix it at no extra charge. We’ll even help you take down and store your lights safely after the holidays so you can relax and simply enjoy the season.
For a brighter, stress-free holiday, call Perfect Power Wash at 866-289-8224 and ask about our professional lighting installation and maintenance plans.
