As the holiday season winds down, it’s tempting to leave your outdoor lights up “just a little longer.” After all, they add charm to your home and keep the festive spirit alive into January. But while a few extra days might seem harmless, keeping your holiday lights up too long can come with serious risks.
Your home’s holiday lighting may still look festive in February, but what’s happening behind the scenes can be more problematic than it appears. From wind-stretched wiring to ice-fused clips and moisture intrusion, leaving lights up too long increases the risk of:
This is especially true for homes in Pine Richland, Fox Chapel, Sewickley, Mars, Wexford, and the surrounding North Hills, where cold snaps and lake-effect snow can strike at any time in January or February.
What starts as an innocent delay can quickly become a costly chore.
In the North Hills area, winter doesn’t end with the holidays. Freezing temperatures, sleet, and high winds are common throughout January and even into early March.
If lights are left up too long:
These risks don’t just damage your lighting, they can also harm your home. Repairing a torn shingle or cracked gutter from improperly removed holiday lights can cost hundreds of dollars.
Whether you’re using retail-grade or commercial LED lighting, extended exposure to moisture, snow, and direct sun can drastically reduce the lifespan of your system.
Even the best lights are vulnerable to:
That’s why it’s best to remove and store lights shortly after New Year’s. This preserves their integrity and ensures they’re just as bright and beautiful next season.
Once the snow sets in, removing your own lights becomes increasingly risky. If you delay takedown until late January or February, you may face:
Injuries from falls are one of the top seasonal hazards for DIY decorators, especially for older adults or those unfamiliar with roof work. Even one slip on an icy driveway can cause serious harm.
While holiday displays are beautiful during the season, they can feel out of place or neglected by February. Many North Hills neighborhoods, especially in Franklin Park or Pine Township, expect homeowners to remove decorations shortly after the New Year.
Keeping lights up too long can give the impression that:
This can reduce curb appeal, not to mention upset your neighbors.
Our professional recommendation:
Take down lights between January 2 and January 15, before deeper freezes make removal harder and more hazardous.
It’s easy to overlook your lights once the holidays pass, but delaying takedown can result in property damage, safety risks, and costly replacements next year.
The good news? You don’t have to lift a finger.
With MAT Lighting, your lighting experience doesn’t end with installation. We remove your lights, inspect and store them professionally, and prepare everything for next season. This way your home stays protected, polished, and stress-free.
Contact us today to schedule your takedown.
When it comes to holiday lighting in the North Hills, timing is everything.
