Christmas lights are part of the holiday tradition all over the world.
The advent of inexpensive lights with very reasonable current draw has made holiday lights both popular and accessible.
However, one can't expect to simply throw up lights carelessly and expect them to look good.
Improperly installed lights are not only unsightly, they can be potentially dangerous.
Every year, thousands of homes suffer fire damage due to electrical fires or the extreme heat of improperly installed Christmas lights.
While this most commonly occurs with Christmas tree lights, due to the flammability of the tree, it is also known to happen with window lights.
The most important part of any window light display is how it is hung.
Nails may only be used when the bulbs or cords have a small hook where the nail may safely hold them.
Piercing the protective covering of the wire with a nail may cause the wire to short out and cause a fire.
Attempting to pierce the rubber covering may also damage the wires, causing them to cease functioning.
This is also true when using staples.
Christmas lights that lack hooks for hanging them should be hung using clamps that hold the wires but do not bend them.
Bending the wires aggressively can cause them to break and spark, and firm bends cause damage to the protective rubber coating.
Most window display kits come with hooks or clamps which are designed to hold the lights properly.
Whether using hooks, nails or clamps, it is important to make sure that every attach point is secure and that they are separated by no more than twelve inches and no less than eight inches.
Christmas lights should be displayed around the window such that they are viewable on both sides.
In most cases, it is sufficient to make sure the glass of the bulb is facing the glass of the window.
This not only allows the light to be seen both inside and outside the house, it allows the cool air coming off the window to cool the lights and extend their lifetime.