How’s the best way to make sure they’re up safe and stay safe till you bring them down?
- Install them away from people pathways – away from where everyone will be passing. The last thing you want is someone tripping on a cable and upsetting everything and possibly even starting a fire. The garden is a good bet, so is the shrubbery along the driveway. If they have to go on a wall somewhere, make sure it’s high and out of the way.
- Make sure not to overload circuits – don’t put too many lights at one electrical point. Distribute them is in such a way that they use up different sources.
- DO NOT string close to power lines – even a minor spark could result in potential disaster.
- Remember that there are usually different specifications for indoor and outdoor string lights – make sure to get the correct type or you may otherwise be disappointed.
- If one of the bulbs goes out, do not attempt to replace it while the power to the string lights is on – put it off first and then make the replacement.
- Don’t place string lights on or under branches that look that they can give – the handling can cause the branch to give and the whole system would collapse.
- If you’re re-using old lights, inspect the wires to make sure that nothing’s broken. They tend to wear and tear with time.
- Do not put outdoor lights near a water source or puddles – water and electricity don’t mix.
- If you notice a problem with any of the bulbs, like sparking, switch of the entire system. Outdoor fires tend to travel fast because the wiring is not like the strong wiring inside your house.
- What if it rains? So long as your wires had no damage and the power source is covered, there is no problem. If it turns into a storm or a gale though, it’s advisable to put them out.