- Use clips, never nails, screws or staples. Staples can also cut into the wire.
- Gutter clips hook onto the gutter lip; shingle tabs slide gently under a shingle edge.
- Set your ladder at about 1 foot out for every 4 feet up, and extend it 3 feet above the roof edge – the OSHA rules for work ladders.
- Take lights down the same way: release the clips, do not pull the strand.
Match the clip to the surface
| Surface | What to use |
|---|---|
| Gutters | Gutter hooks or all-in-one clips that clip over the front lip of the gutter |
| Shingle edges | Shingle tabs or all-in-one clips that slide under the edge of a shingle without lifting it |
| Ridge and peaks | Ridge clips that grip the ridge cap |
| Brick and stone | Brick clips that grip the brick face – no drilling |
| Railings and posts | Zip ties or railing clips |
| Walkways and beds | Ground stakes for C7 or C9 bulbs |
All-in-one clips that work on both gutters and shingles are what most installers carry, because one clip covers most of a roofline.
What never to do
- No nails, screws or staples. They make holes where water gets in, and a staple through a wire is a shock and fire risk.
- Do not force cold shingles. Asphalt shingles get brittle in the cold; slide clips under gently rather than prying edges up.
- Do not hang from the gutter itself on a weak or loose gutter. Fix it first or run the lights along the shingles.
- No indoor extension cords outside. Use outdoor-rated cords and keep connections off the ground.
Set the ladder up properly
OSHA's rules for work ladders are a good standard for anyone. A straight or extension ladder should stand at an angle where the base is about one quarter of the working length out from the wall – roughly 1 foot out for every 4 feet up. When you use it to reach a roof edge, the rails should extend at least 3 feet above the edge so you have something to hold as you step on and off.
- Set the feet on firm, level ground – never on ice or soft soil.
- Keep three points of contact and your body between the rails. Move the ladder rather than reaching.
- Work with someone at the bottom, and do not work in wind, rain or ice.
A clean-looking line
- Clip every bulb socket, or every foot, so the line stays straight.
- Face the bulbs the same way – upright on shingle edges, outward on gutters.
- Start at the outlet end so the plug is where you need it, and plan where the cord runs down.
Or hand it over
This is the part most people hire out. A professional install includes the clips, the ladder work and usually takedown. Use our hiring guide to check they use clips – nails and staples are a red flag – and find installers near you on the map.
Keep reading
- Outdoor Christmas light safety
- How to measure your roofline
- C7 vs C9 bulbs
- How to hire a Christmas light installer
Sources
- eCFR – 29 CFR 1926.1053, Ladders (OSHA) – read September 22, 2026
Written by the Christmas Lights Outdoor Installation editorial team. Figures are dated and linked to their source; national numbers vary by area – confirm with local installers.
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