Keep Yourself and Your Roof Safe with These Holiday Decorating Safety Tips
With the holiday season approaching, many homeowners will be looking to deck the halls, hanging string lights and other decorations in the coming weeks. That means now is the perfect time for a quick safety reminder—since the last thing you want is to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas injured. At Anchor Roofing, we want to ensure everyone stays safe this holiday season and doesn’t cause any accidental damage to their roof. So to help our readers with their holiday decorating plans, here are our top safety tips for the season.
Learn (and Practice) Ladder Safety
The number one source of accidental injuries during the holiday season is homeowners falling off of ladders. In fact, more than 500,000 Americans are treated for ladder-related injuries each year! While ladders are perfect for giving you access to those hard-to-reach places to hang lights, it’s important to practice good ladder safety. Here are some key ladder safety tips to keep in mind while completing your holiday decorating:
- Use a spotter – A spotter can prevent most ladder-related injuries. They can hold the ladder at the base to provide stability, preventing it from tipping over. If the ladder does fall, they can put it back up or otherwise help you get off the roof rather than leaving you hanging.
- Choose the right ladder – The right tool for the job makes all the difference. Ladders have specifications that dictate how much weight they can carry and the maximum height they should be used to reach. For extension ladders, the length of the ladder should typically be around 7 to 10 feet more than the height of your roof line.
- Set up carefully – Setting up your ladder is crucial. Always plant the ladder on firm, even ground. The ladder should be planted on a slight angle so that it won’t fall backward when you step onto it. A typical rule of thumb is to leave 1 foot of horizontal space for every 4 feet of height.
- Move your ladder frequently – Many falls from ladders occur because homeowners try to reach too far and lean over. While it may seem annoying and time consuming, moving your ladder frequently is important for your safety. If you can’t reach a specific point on your roof, don’t lunge or overreach; just move your ladder closer.
- Maintain three points of contact with the ladder – While it won’t always be possible, as hanging decorations often requires two hands, try to maintain three points of contact with your ladder at all times.
Step with Care: Protect You and Your Roof
Stringing your roofline with lights may be first on the agenda, but many homeowners choose to add decorations to the roof itself as well. While we recommend keeping foot traffic on your roof to a minimum, if you must walk on your roof, do so with extreme caution. Here are a few tips:
- Wear shoes with soft soles for better traction
- Tread slowly and carefully
- Carry one decoration at a time
- NEVER walk on your roof if there is any moisture present, from previous rainfall or condensation
As you walk, take note of how your steps feel. If you notice your feet slipping, you’re likely knocking granules loose, which can leave your roof more vulnerable to damage.
Plan Ahead (with Your Feet on the Ground)
One of the most overlooked holiday decorating safety tips is to plan ahead before you get started. It’s amazing how much safer (and faster!) it can be to decorate your home if you’ve plotted out where every item will go and how you’ll get it there.
Get out your string lights and check that the length is appropriate for the space you intend to hang them. Test them out, replace any bulbs as needed, and check for frayed or exposed wires. Make sure you have a good place to plug in—an outdoor-safe outlet with a GFCI.
Rather than troubleshooting your decorations while standing on a ladder or your roof, you’ll be much safer planning your next move with your feet firmly on the ground.
Steer Clear of Nails and Staples
The top cause of roof damage while decorating for the holidays is improperly used nails and staples fastening lights and other decorations. Nails and staples should never be used to hang string lights, especially when driven into your shingles or gutters.
When it comes to safety for your roof, the best holiday decorating tips are to avoid nails and staples at all costs and opt for specially designed plastic clips instead. These are perfect for hanging lights and are widely available at any hardware store during the holiday season.
Clean Up Carefully
Once the holidays are over, it can be tempting to try and rip all your decorations down as quickly as possible. However, this should be done with as much care as decorating your roof in the first place.
Tearing down decorations can cause damage to your roof, and moving too quickly can lead to carelessness and injuries. As with decorating, take your time to complete cleanup properly. Both you and your roof will be much safer that way.
Schedule a Roof Inspection Promptly After the Season
Even if you follow all of these holiday decorating safety tips, there’s still ample opportunity for your roof to be damaged in the process of hanging or removing decorations. The best way to ensure your roof is still in excellent condition is to schedule an inspection with Anchor Roofing after removing your decorations.
Our friendly, professional roofers in Omaha will thoroughly examine your roof to assess its condition, then recommend any repairs that may be needed before April showers arrive. So stay safe this holiday season, and keep your roof protected!