HALLOWEEN ROOF DECORATING SAFETY TIPS

ALWAYS WORK WITH A PARTNER

There should be at least two people involved with a roof decorating project at all times. The second person can act as a spotter on the ground to hold the ladder and watch for potential hazards, or he or she can provide extra support on the roof itself. If an accident does occur, having a second person on site will give you the best chance at getting help as quickly as possible.

WATCH FOR ROOF DAMAGE

Discolored roof shingles or areas with missing shingles are accidents waiting to happen. These areas usually have weak substructure from leaking or general wear and tear. Before you walk on your roof, check for any areas that may have damage. Avoid stepping on these parts of the roof. Dykstra Knight would be more than happy to come out and assess your roof for you during a professional roof inspection.

INSPECT LIGHTS AND EXTENSION CORDS BEFORE INSTALLING THEM

Before you put electrical cords or lights on your roofing, make sure they are working and in good condition. Frayed wiring could easily set fire to your roof shingles, or they could damage the rest of your decorations from a shock or short in the wires. Even if you have used the same decorations year after year, you still need to look over them thoroughly before installing them on your roof.

Note: You should ALWAYS use outdoor lighting for your Halloween decorations. Indoor lighting is not designed to withstand the elements and could get damaged in a rain storm.

PROTECT PLUGS FROM POTENTIAL WATER DAMAGE

One of the easiest ways to protect plugs for outdoor Halloween lighting is to wrap the intersecting areas with electrical tape. If you are plugging one cord into another, you can use electric tape to cover both parts of the plugs so water cannot get in between. You can always pull the tape off when you put the cords away for the year, but this will keep them safe outside.

Avoid hanging lights in areas where rain is likely to build up, like the edge of your gutters or the valleys in your roofing. You may also have a part of your roof that is more vulnerable to snow build-up than other areas based on how the wind hits it during a snowstorm. If you know of spots like this on your roofing, you should adjust your decorating plans to bypass that.

USE THE RIGHT LADDERS

Your ladder should be sturdy, secure, and at least three feet taller than the entry point for your roofing. Make sure that there is someone at the base of the ladder to hold it while you climb up onto the roof. Approach the roofing from a damage-free area to ensure that the roof can hold your weight when you reach the top.