Decorating the house for the holidays? Nothing gets people into the christmas spirit like cheery, twinkling lights. Stringing lights can be tricky, however, and it is important to be safe. Read this guide to learn how to hang Christmas lights the right way.

Hanging Christmas lights can be a fun and cheerful occasion, but it is important to be safe and do things the right way to avoid injury or electrical problems. As with any possibly hazardous endeavor, it is important to exercise caution and common sense. If you are sloppy or fail to pay attention to what you are doing, it is easy to unknowingly create a potential hazard.

Before you start hanging, figure out where you want your lights to go, and which outlets you will be using. Map out the details, or write them down. Starting out with a game plan will make the hanging process much easier, and can save you time and heartache in the long run.

• To be safe, clear leaves and other flammables away from where you will be hanging your lights. Also, be sure not to draw too much electricity from a single outlet, as an overload may cause a short or even start a fire.

There's nothing worse than getting prepared to hang your lights, only to find that you are missing an important tool. You will likely need:

1. Extension cords
2. Clamps or hooks
3. Tape measure or ruler
4. A ladder
5. A hammer

1. First, plug in your lights to make sure all bulbs are working
2. Replace any dead bulbs
3. Position your clamps or hooks along the path you plan to hang lights from
4. Hang the lights--it is best to have a friend to help out with things like holding the ladder, and hanging on to excess cords
5. Plug in
6. Turn on