Putting up your own christmas lighting installation might be fun, but it can also be dangerous if you slip and fall on the ice. The dazzle is worth it, but only if you don’t have any problems with your home, your electrical system, or yourself.

Start with the ladder. The old thing in your garage that rattles isn’t your friend. When you use a solid, well-placed ladder on flat ground, you should always have someone nearby to watch you. People respond, “I’ll be fine,” and end up installing a cast in their living room instead of lighting.

Check each thread before you hang a single light. Put them in the ground and look for damaged sockets, frayed wires, or dead sections. If you break strands, you can’t fix them later, so get rid of them. Old or broken lights not only look awful, but they can also start fires.

Think about how much power you need. Putting too much power into one outlet can even trip a breaker for LED lights. Don’t use those inexpensive extension cords that feel like they might snap in a strong wind. Instead, connect to more than one circuit at a time. Heavy-duty outdoor cords are worth the price.

Watch out for the weather. If it’s windy, icy, or rainy, wait till the weather is better. Installing something quickly while the weather is bad is like trying to ice a cake during an earthquake: it’s messy, irritating, and could even be lethal. The ground is safer and there are fewer electrical problems when it’s dry.

Check to see if your lights are safe. Instead of nails, staples, or duct tape, use clips specifically for outdoor lighting. They hold cables in place without harming your siding, gutters, or roof. They also make it a lot easier to pull down in January.

Your lights should be dazzling all season, not cause you go to the hospital. If you plan ahead and work intelligently, you’ll be able to enjoy both the glow outside and the warmth within.