Navigating through a maze of twisted cords and dimming lights can seem like a recipe for holiday disaster. Let’s jump right into the holiday lights, which appear to be a shimmering Pandora’s box. You would prefer that your joyous celebration not be dull and underlit. Ready? Roll up your sleeves, gather those strands, and we’ll begin lighting installation art.
We should start by discussing power load. Your home’s electrical system is like a fizzy drink can: there’s a limit to how much you can put in it before it explodes. Not only is it irritating, but overloading it could cause a blackout that is less than merry. A useful piece of advice: More specifically, a 15-amp circuit can manage approximately 1,440 watts, but a 20-amp circuit can take up to 1,920 watts. If you divide up the work, you won’t have to worry about being without power or having to call an electrician.
On to circuits now. Connecting limitless rows of lights is now the traditional wish. A sobering reminder: no more than three strings per outlet. Your Christmas cheer shouldn’t catch fire or cause a plethora of broken circuits. Spread the load across different circuits and use various outlets if you can. No overindulgence, just moderation—it’s like serving at a buffet.
Layout design can be a bit like a cat herd. Will it be a calm, shimmering paradise or a spectacle fit for Clark Griswold? Jot it down. Mark off your empty space—windows, bushes, and gutters—with a pencil. Nobody asked for the risk of tripping over extension cords during the holidays, so keep that in mind.
Here’s some advice: double-check all of the lights before hanging them. Raising knotted strings just to find dead ends winking at you melancholy is the most frustrating thing ever. Short time on the ground is better than long time on the ladder.
When climbing ladders, be careful not to jolt. You don’t have to act like Spider-Man. Everyone, stay safe! From personal experience, I can tell you to fasten the ladder. Have no fear that your next-door neighbors will steal your holiday spirit and use it as material for “America’s Funniest Home Videos.”
Your season will be illuminated like never before with this playbook. Even Rudolph won’t be able to miss your house when it’s lit up with holiday cheer.