Holiday Lighting Safety Tips for Ohio Homes
Published August 30, 2026
Falls and electrical faults spike every December. These are the precautions that actually prevent them.
Electrical safety
Every exterior circuit must be GFCI-protected — melting snow and driven rain make wet-condition faults likely, not hypothetical. Use only outdoor-rated (UL wet-location) strands, cords and timers, and keep connections off the ground and out of standing water.
Ladder and roof safety
Set ladders at a 4:1 pitch on firm, level ground, extend three feet above the contact point, and never reach beyond arm's length. Frost on shingles is effectively ice, and steep or slate roofs require anchors and harnesses — not confidence.
Attachment methods
Never use nails, staples or screws through a strand or into fascia. Staples pierce insulation and create shock and fire hazards, and holes in fascia invite rot. Use plastic clips designed for your roof and gutter profile.
When to hire a professional
If the work involves a second story, a steep pitch, slate or tile, or adding circuits, hire an insured company. The cost of professional installation is far below the cost of a fall or an electrical fire.