It’s that time of year again for making your house look as festive as possible. If you plan on lining your roof with holiday lights or putting an inflatable decoration up there, make sure you’re safe. Doing any kind of task that involves being up on your roof puts you at risk of getting seriously injured. Keep the following roof work safety tips in mind for this holiday season.
Why Is Roof Safety Important?
Walking around on your roof and performing tasks, such as hanging up holiday lights, can be dangerous if you’re not careful enough. The slope of your roof can make it difficult to move around while keeping your balance. A slippery roof from a recent rainstorm or snowfall can cause you to slide around, increasing the risk of falling. Following the best roof safety tips can help prevent injuries or accidents while you’re decorating.
Choose a Calm, Sunny Day to Decorate
You shouldn’t plan on decorating your roof if it’s going to be windy, rainy or snowy out, and you should avoid going up there in the dark. Plan on putting up your holiday decorations during the day when it’s clear and calm outside. Keep in mind that the sun sets earlier this time of year, so don’t wait too long to get started.
Get Everything Ready Before You Start to Decorate
Don’t head up to the roof until you’ve checked all of your decorations and cords to make sure everything is working and ready to be set up. You should untangle all of your holiday lights while you’re still on the ground. Before heading up, you should also check your outlets to ensure that they’re working.
Use the Right Gear When You Decorate Your Home for the Holidays
How do holiday roof safety tips work in terms of your gear? By following these tips, you’ll lower the risk of damage and accidents:
- Never use staples or nails for decorations, since they can damage your roof. Use plastic hooks or clips instead.
- Wear a tool belt around your waist rather than trying to carry a toolbox or loose tools around.
- Avoid wearing shoes that don’t give you any traction. Instead, put on a pair of shoes with a rubber sole that offers plenty of traction, so you won’t slip and slide while walking on your roof.
Use Ladders Safely
It’s not just your roof you have to worry about. You’ll also need to be careful when going up and down ladders to get up there. Doing the following can keep you safe:
- Have someone spot or help you to lower your risk of injuries.
- Place ladders at a 75-degree angle with a few feet reaching above your roofline.
- Always stand at least a few rungs down from the top of ladders.
- Place ladders on a level pathway or driveway where they’re not near any power lines.
Make sure your roof is in good condition before you start decorating for the holidays. Otherwise, you could risk injuries or damage. Contact Vertex Roofing Contractors for a free estimate on roof maintenance or repairs for your Salt Lake City home. Our licensed and insured roofing contractors can inspect your roof and make repairs if needed.
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