First time putting up Christmas lights outdoors any tips? (house, moving)

[Surfertx]

I'm asking on this forum because of the weather/rain and it's my first time. I plan to do something very simple mainly on the grass and bushes maybe window frames. Not ready to climb the roof.
I'd like to hang some on the garage roof but not ready to climb on it yet. Do I need to water proof the electrical connections?

[haudi]

I electrical tape all my connections pretty thoroughly. Never had any issues. Just make sure they are going into a GFCI outlet (Should be if its outside)

[K LoLo]

Over the years of putting lights up at my parents house, and putting them up at my house now, I've never done anything to protect the connections. We might raise up some connections if they're sitting on the ground somewhere that will be pool water. But, if they're off the ground and they're lights designed for outside use, they'll generally have a fuse on them anyway.

Plus, if you have some sort of timer, it will have the same sort of fuse. Or should, rather.

[travelguy_73]

Definitely use a weatherproof outdoor timer...you want to make the usage of the lights as easy as possible. This is the one we use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We use these light clips. Somewhat of a pain the first year because you have to put them together, but we left them attached to the lights and it was very easy this year (yes, we climb on the roof, but we have a one-story 1960s house with a shallow pitch).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1

I also use electrical tape on connections, but that might be overkill.

[wheretogo]

Be aware of the Light sensor timers. Depending on the weather, sensor might declare its time to switch on your lights even at 12 noon.

[Murk]

Be sure to use holiday lights that say Outdoor on them and not Indoor.

I've never seen anyone put electrical tape on the connections, but it certainly can't hurt.

[Sollaces]

Make sure you anchor your lights so if a brisk wind comes through (It does happen!) that your lights won't blow down. We had the wind take out our lights twice. It isn't fun seeing the damage. And anything standing in your yard anchor down, too.


We had pesky kids moving our reindeer around our yard one year. They thought it cute. We got out some tent stakes and made sure it stayed put.

[Surfertx]

How many lights can I put in one outdoor electrical socket? Is a hot glue gun ok for attaching lights to bricks?

[DJboutit]

Originally Posted by Surfertx

How many lights can I put in one outdoor electrical socket? Is a hot glue gun ok for attaching lights to bricks?

Ice cycle lights I think 4 maybe 5 strands here at my house the wiring has not been updated.

[K LoLo]

All of my lights essentially going into one outlet, and we have many strands (we do the roof, and then wrap down a tree down to some bushes, and also do the pillars on the front porch). Never had a problem.