Icicle lights provide a beautiful, festive look for any holiday. But without proper storage, these delicate strands of light can become tangled and unruly. Taking the time to put away your icicle lights properly will save you in the long run from having to untangle them when you’re ready to pull out your decorations the next year.
The advantages of learning to put away icicle lights properly are that it helps protect the lifespan of your strings and prevent a tangled mess in storage. It also makes it easier to set up your lights when you’re ready to bring them out for decorating again next season. When you learn how to store them correctly, you will save yourself the time and hassle of untangling strings each year. In this blog article, you can find step-by-step instructions on how to put away icicle lights.
Step-by-step Instructions for How to Put Away Icicle Lights
Step 1: Inspect All of Your Icicle Lights
Before you put your lights away, ensure they are all in working order. Check all the bulbs to see if they need to be replaced. Look for breaks or frays in the cord and inspect any clips or hooks that were used to hold up the icicles. Depending on your type of icicle lights, they might have decorations attached. Carefully remove any decorations, such as plastic snowflakes or stars, and set them aside safely.
Step 2: Disconnect the Icicle Lights from Their Power Source
Turn off the power source that was used to light up your icicles. Unplug it from the electrical outlet and safely place it in a location where it won’t get damaged or wet. Make sure that you unplug all of the outlets that the lights were connected to.
Step 3: Gently Remove the Icicle Lights
Remove the icicle lights from their mounting location and carefully coil them up or wrap them in a spool, depending on the type of icicles that you have. Ensure you do not pull too hard on the wires, as this could damage them. Place your icicles into a safe storage container that is designed to store lights. This could be a box, bin, or another type of container. Ensure that the lid of the container fits snugly and properly when closed so that your lights do not become damaged during storage.
Step 4: Label the Container with a Description
Label the container so that you know what type of lights are inside. This will help when you need to find them again in the future. You can either write this information on the lid or attach a tag or label to the outside of the container. Choose a dry storage area away from direct heat sources such as radiators or furnaces. Ensure no liquids can get into the container, as this could damage your lights. Also, try to avoid any areas where the lights could be crushed or damaged in some way.
Step 5: Inspect the Lights
Before you use your icicle lights again, inspect them for any signs of damage or wear and tear. Check all the connections, clips, and decorations to ensure they are all intact. Before you plug in your icicle lights, test them to ensure they still light up and function properly. This is an important step to ensure that you do not have any problems when you hang your lights back up.
Step 6: Replace Damaged or Worn Out Parts
If you find any damaged or worn-out parts, like bulbs, clips, or electrical cords, then replace them before you hang up your icicle lights again. Make sure that the replacement parts are rated for outdoor use and compatible with the type of icicles you are using. Once all of the steps have been completed, it is time to hang up your icicles again and enjoy the holiday season. Hang them up in a safe location, away from any flammable materials or liquids, and make sure they are securely fastened.
With these steps, you can easily put away your icicle lights and store them for use next year.
Tips for How to Put Away Icicle Lights
- Ensure to wait until the weather warms up and all the snow has melted from your roof before attempting to take down any icicle lights. This will ensure that you can safely reach and access the lights without slipping or falling off the roof.
- If possible, enlist a partner or helper who can assist you with taking down the icicle lights. This will help make the process much safer, allowing you to properly secure the ladder while your partner reaches up and removes each light set.
- Use a sturdy, tall ladder to reach all of the lights on your roof safely. Additionally, use a ladder stabilizer if the ladder is too long for the surface that it’s placed on.
- Make sure to wear gloves, as the cold weather can make icicle lights brittle and sharp. Additionally, use a tool such as pliers or needle-nose pliers to help remove each light set safely without risking your hands.
- Check each light set carefully for any signs of damage before attempting to take them down. If the set is damaged, discard it and replace it with a new one next season.
- When taking down the icicle lights, make sure to keep them in an organized manner that will make storing them easier. Consider wrapping each string of lights around a piece of cardboard or cutting out the shape of a Christmas tree to make it easier to wrap and put away.
- Finally, use plastic boxes with lids for storage. This will help protect the lights from dust accumulation and moisture that can lead to corrosion over time. Additionally, label and clearly mark the box with which season the lights are for so they can be easily identified in future years.
How Should You Store the Icicle Lights When Not in Use?
Once you’ve taken down your icicle lights, it’s important to store them correctly. If you leave them tangled, it will be difficult and time-consuming to untangle them when you are ready to hang them again. There are a few simple steps to follow to ensure the strands don’t become a jumbled mess while in storage.
First, separate the strands and lay them flat on a clean surface. Make sure they are lying in the same direction and not twisted or tangled. This will help keep them from getting knotted while being stored away. Next, roll each strand up into small coils instead of folding them. This will help prevent any kinks or creases in the lights and keep them from getting tangled when stored away.
Finally, wrap a piece of cardboard around the lights to protect them further, and then place them into their original storage container if available. If you don’t have the original box, you can place them into any plastic container and store them in a cool, dry place. Following these steps can help keep your icicle lights in great condition when they’re not being used.
How Often Should You Inspect Your Icicle Lights for Frayed Wires or Broken Bulbs?
To protect yourself and your family, it is important to check your icicle lights before you put them away for the season. Ensure all wires are in good condition and there are no broken bulbs or frayed wires. If you notice any of these issues, they should be repaired or replaced before the lights are stored. Additionally, if you find any of these problems after you have already put the lights away, they should be inspected before they are hung up again.
When it comes to inspecting your icicle lights, it is important to do so before and after you take them out each season. This will help keep you and your family safe while enjoying your decorations. Additionally, it will help to ensure that your lights last longer and save you money in the long run. If you have questions about inspecting or storing icicle lights, consult a professional electrician for advice.
They can help you find the best way to inspect and store your lights so that they remain safe and secure until next season. In conclusion, inspecting and storing icicle lights correctly is essential if you want to ensure they are safe and secure during off-seasons.
How Can You Check if the Insulation on Your Cords is Still in Good Condition Before Using Them Outdoors?
When safely putting away your icicle lights for storage, the most important factor is ensuring the insulation on the cords remains in good condition. Before you use your icicle lights outdoors, take a few moments to check the insulation of each cord. To do this:
- Inspect each cord for any signs of wear and tear, such as exposed wires, cuts, or frays.
- Check the insulation for any cracks or holes that may have occurred due to sunlight exposure.
- Make sure the plug ends are secure and not bent in any way.
- Look for any discoloration that could indicate a potential fire hazard.
If you notice any of these signs, replacing the cord before using your icicle lights outdoors is best. By taking the time to do this simple check, you can ensure that your holiday decorations will be safe and in good condition for many years to come.
Conclusion
One potential disadvantage of putting away icicle lights is the time and effort required to store them properly. Icicle lights are delicate and can be easily damaged if they are not handled or stored carefully. This means that it takes extra time and care to ensure the lights are properly folded up and placed inside their storage containers. Additionally, long icicle lights require longer storage containers, which can take up more space.
In conclusion, putting away icicle lights is easy and straightforward with a few simple steps. All you need to do is disconnect the lights, coil them up neatly, store them in an empty container or box, and ensure they are completely dry before storing them. I hope this article has been beneficial in learning how to put away icicle lights. Make Sure the precautionary measures are followed chronologically.