Securing Christmas Lights in Santa Ana Winds

Short answer: attach the light string firmly to something solid, at close intervals, with a fastener that does not pierce the cord. Clips on the gutter line do that without nails, staples or holes. The CPSC says to fasten outdoor lights securely so wind cannot damage them. Gutter Helmet says to avoid piercing the cable with staples, nails or screws. Turn the lights off in strong wind and during a red flag warning, and look them over from the ground after the wind stops.

We could not find a published wind rating for any clip or light string, so we do not claim one. Clips reduce the chance of a string coming loose. They do not guarantee it.

How windy is Santa Ana season, and when is it?

NOAA's climate memorandum for the San Diego area says Santa Ana winds commonly occur between October and February, with December having the highest frequency of events, and that summer events are rare. Per Wikipedia, the winds can also occur at other times of year. Gusts can easily exceed 40 miles per hour, per Wikipedia. Our lights go up in mid-November through mid-December, so they are in the windy season from the first night.

The same NOAA document says the winds are strongest through and below passes and canyons. It gives typical speeds of 35 knots through and below passes and canyons, with gusts to 50 knots. That is about 40 mph, with gusts near 58 mph. In the stronger events, gusts can exceed 60 knots over widespread areas. That is about 69 mph. Wikipedia names the Cajon Pass into San Bernardino County as one of the funnels. Our Santa Ana wind guide lists which nearby cities sit closest to the canyons and passes.

Those are weather figures, not figures about lights. We have no measurement of how much wind force a roofline of lights feels, and we did not find one.

Wind levels the National Weather Service uses

The NWS San Diego office covers the Inland Empire. Its reference guide (updated August 2025) sets these alert levels for coastal and valley areas, which is where most of our cities sit. The ridges, passes and canyons have higher thresholds.

Alert	Valley areas	Canyons and passes
Wind Advisory	Sustained 25 mph or gusts 35 mph	Sustained 35 mph or gusts 50 mph
High Wind Warning	Sustained 40 mph or gusts 58 mph	Sustained 50 mph or gusts 70 mph

For a plan you can follow: a Wind Advisory in your area is a sensible day to unplug the lights and stay off the ladder. This is our advice. No source we opened ties a lighting setup to those thresholds.

Clips or staples? What the sources say

The sources do not all agree, and we want to show you the difference instead of hiding it.

CPSC (2001 release): fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls or other firm supports so wind cannot damage them. The release says to use only insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. It also says strings can run through hooks sold at hardware stores. So the agency accepts insulated staples. It does not say clips are required.
Gutter Helmet (published November 25, 2015, updated October 17, 2023): avoid piercing the light cable with staples, nails or screws, and use plastic clips or insulated hooks instead.
Christmas Lights Etc (a lighting retailer, updated January 28, 2026): its All In One clip is a commercial-grade, UV-protected clip used by professional installers. On a gutter you slide it over the lip so the flat tab sits against the back of the gutter, with the bulbs facing straight out.

Our method is the clip on the gutter line. No nails, no staples, no holes in your fascia or in the cord. The reason is simple: a staple or nail that misses can pierce a wire, and every hole is a place for water to get in. We did not find a test comparing clips and staples in wind, so this is a choice, not a proven result.

If you use staples on your own, use insulated ones as the CPSC says, and do not squeeze the cord.

What makes a string more likely to come loose

Too few attachment points. The more spots hold the string, the less it can whip. Gutter Helmet and the retailer guides we saw do not give a spacing number we could verify, so ask any installer how far apart their clips are.
Slack. A loop of loose cord catches wind like a sail. Pull the string snug, not tight, between points.
Weight. Heavier strings, larger bulbs and added decorations put more load on every clip. We could not find a published weight or wind-load rating for light strings, so we keep the design simple: one string along the gutter line.
Poor surface. Clips need a solid gutter lip. Loose, bent or damaged gutters hold nothing. Look at the gutter before the lights go on.
Plugs and connections on the ground. Gutter Helmet says to raise plugs and connectors off the ground, with a brick or rock, to keep out snow, water and debris. Sprinkler spray and rain are the Inland Empire version of that.

Red flag warnings and fire safety

A Red Flag Warning is a fire-weather alert. The NWS Chicago office page defines it as issued when conditions that support extreme fire danger, dry fuels plus wind and low humidity. Those conditions must be expected or occurring within the next 24 hours, and the page says the products are written for land and fire managers. For the San Diego office, which covers the Inland Empire, the guide lists these criteria: sustained wind over 25 mph and/or gusts over 35 mph with relative humidity at 15 percent or lower for six hours or more, or widespread dry lightning. A watch comes 24 to 96 hours ahead.

We did not find an agency page about holiday lights and red flag days, and CAL FIRE's pages blocked our check, so what follows is advice, not a cited rule. On a red flag day, turn the lights off or leave them unplugged. Keep cords and plugs off dry grass, mulch, leaves and brush. Do not run an extension cord across dry vegetation. Do not hang or work on lights in high wind.

For the usual electrical rules, the CPSC says to use lights certified for outdoor use and to plug them into a GFCI outlet or a portable GFCI. UL's green label means indoor use only, and its red label means indoor or outdoor use. Gutter Helmet says to use outdoor-rated extension cords. Per UL, do not overload power strips and outlets, and avoid connecting multiple power strips together. Per UL, inspect all electronics for visible damage, such as broken sockets or frayed wires. Per UL, turn off powered decorations when not at home or while asleep. For anything about your wiring or outlets, ask a licensed electrician. We do not do electrical work.

After a wind event: a ground-level checklist

Do this from the ground, in daylight, once the gusts have dropped. Do not climb a ladder in wind.

Unplug the lights before you look closely.
Look along the whole gutter line for sagging, gaps, bulbs facing the wrong way or sections hanging down.
Look at the ground and at nearby plants for broken bulbs or pieces of clips.
Check plugs, connectors and extension cords for water, cracks or fraying. UL says to inspect for broken sockets or frayed wires, and the CPSC says to discard damaged sets.
If a section is loose or the cord is damaged, leave it unplugged. Do not stand on the roof, and do not lean out from the ladder.
Test the GFCI outlet before you plug back in.

When to take them down

Per NOAA, Santa Ana winds commonly occur between October and February. In our view, leaving lights up into spring means more windy nights on the clips and the cord for no benefit. Our takedown month is January. If you took them down yourself, do it on a calm, dry day, from the ground, and unplug first.

What we do, and what we do not

We install lights on single-story rooflines only. We put clips on the gutter line, with no nails, staples or holes, from a ladder on the ground, and we do not walk on roofs. The CPSC estimated more than 15,000 holiday decorating injuries during November and December. About 34 percent of those injuries involved falls. That is one reason we stay on the ground. We do not do two-story rooflines, we do not offer holiday lights in Claremont and we do no electrical work.

See holiday lights for prices and install weeks, and the cost guide for a breakdown.

Common questions

Are clips better than staples for Christmas lights in wind?

We did not find a test that compares them. The CPSC accepts insulated staples (not nails or tacks) and says to fasten lights firmly so wind cannot damage them. Gutter Helmet says to avoid piercing the cable and to use plastic clips or insulated hooks. We use clips on the gutter line.

What wind speed is too much for Christmas lights?

We found no published rating. The NWS San Diego office issues a Wind Advisory for valleys at sustained 25 mph or gusts 35 mph. That is a reasonable day to unplug them and stay off the ladder.

When is Santa Ana wind season?

NOAA says commonly October through February, with December the most frequent month. Wikipedia says the winds mainly bring hot, dry weather in autumn and can occur at other times of year.

Should I leave Christmas lights on during a red flag warning?

We found no agency rule for it, so this is our advice: turn them off and keep cords and plugs off dry brush. The warning means conditions support extreme fire danger. UL says to turn powered decorations off when you are not home or are asleep.

What outlet should outdoor lights use?

The CPSC says to use lights certified for outdoor use and plug them into a GFCI-protected receptacle or a portable GFCI. Ask a licensed electrician if your outdoor outlets are not protected.

How do I check lights after a windy night?

Unplug them, then look from the ground along the whole gutter line for gaps, sagging and damaged cords. Do not climb in wind. Test the GFCI before plugging back in.

Where this applies

We work in every place within 15 miles of Ontario: Ontario, Upland, Montclair, Chino, Rancho Cucamonga, Claremont, Alta Loma, Eastvale, Pomona, Etiwanda, Chino Hills, Jurupa Valley, La Verne, Norco, Fontana, San Dimas, Diamond Bar, Corona, Walnut, Rialto, Covina, Glendora.

Related services: Holiday lights, Plans, Instant quote.

More guides

Sources

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, release of November 30, 2001 (secure lights from wind; insulated staples, not nails or tacks; GFCI). “fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage”
Gutter Helmet, "Safety Tips for Hanging Outdoor Christmas Lights" (published November 25, 2015; updated October 17, 2023). “avoid piercing the light cable with staples, nails or screws”
NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS WR-270, "Climate of San Diego" (Santa Ana winds October to February; speeds and gusts; strongest through passes and canyons). “Santa Ana winds commonly occur between October and February with December having the highest frequency of events”
NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS WR-270, "Climate of San Diego" (Santa Ana winds October to February; speeds and gusts; strongest through passes and canyons). “Summer events are rare”
Wikipedia, "Santa Ana winds" (other times of year, gusts over 40 mph, Cajon Pass). “they can also arise at other times of the year”
Wikipedia, "Santa Ana winds" (other times of year, gusts over 40 mph, Cajon Pass). “can easily exceed 40 miles per hour”
NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS WR-270, "Climate of San Diego" (Santa Ana winds October to February; speeds and gusts; strongest through passes and canyons). “are strongest through and below the passes and canyons”
NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS WR-270, "Climate of San Diego" (Santa Ana winds October to February; speeds and gusts; strongest through passes and canyons). “at a speed of 35 knots through and below passes and canyons with gusts to 50 knots”
NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS WR-270, "Climate of San Diego" (Santa Ana winds October to February; speeds and gusts; strongest through passes and canyons). “Stronger Santa Ana Winds can have gusts greater than 60 knots over widespread areas”
Wikipedia, "Santa Ana winds" (other times of year, gusts over 40 mph, Cajon Pass). “through the Cajon Pass into San Bernardino County near San Bernardino, Fontana, and Chino”
NWS San Diego, All-Hazard Reference Guide (wind advisory, high wind warning and red flag criteria). Updated August 2025. “Updated August 2025 NWS San Diego All-Hazard Reference Guide”
NWS San Diego, All-Hazard Reference Guide (wind advisory, high wind warning and red flag criteria). Updated August 2025. “Coastal and Valley areas Sustained ≥ 25 mph or gust ≥ 35 mph”
NWS San Diego, All-Hazard Reference Guide (wind advisory, high wind warning and red flag criteria). Updated August 2025. “Ridges, Passes, Canyons, Mountain Desert slopes Sustained ≥ 35 mph or gust ≥ 50 mph”
NWS San Diego, All-Hazard Reference Guide (wind advisory, high wind warning and red flag criteria). Updated August 2025. “Sustained ≥ 40 mph gust ≥ 58 mph”
NWS San Diego, All-Hazard Reference Guide (wind advisory, high wind warning and red flag criteria). Updated August 2025. “Sustained ≥ 50 mph or gust ≥ 70 mph”
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, release of November 30, 2001 (secure lights from wind; insulated staples, not nails or tacks; GFCI). “Use only insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks”
Gutter Helmet, "Safety Tips for Hanging Outdoor Christmas Lights" (published November 25, 2015; updated October 17, 2023). “avoid piercing the light cable with staples, nails or screws. Use plastic light clips or install insulated hooks”
Christmas Lights Etc, "Christmas Light Clips Guide" (retailer; updated January 28, 2026). “This is a commercial grade, UV protected light clip used by professional installers”
Gutter Helmet, "Safety Tips for Hanging Outdoor Christmas Lights" (published November 25, 2015; updated October 17, 2023). “elevate plugs and connectors with a brick or rock to keep snow, water and debris out of the connections”
NWS Chicago, "Definitions of a Fire Weather Watch and a Red Flag Warning" (general definition; local criteria differ). “the combination of dry fuels and weather conditions support extreme fire danger”
NWS San Diego, All-Hazard Reference Guide (wind advisory, high wind warning and red flag criteria). Updated August 2025. “or widespread dry lightning”
NWS San Diego, All-Hazard Reference Guide (wind advisory, high wind warning and red flag criteria). Updated August 2025. “Red Flag conditions expected in the next 24 to 96 hours”
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, release of December 6, 2017 (outdoor-rated lights, GFCI, extension cords). “check outdoor lights for labels showing the lights have been certified for outdoor use and only plug them into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)-protected receptacle or a portable GFCI”
UL Solutions, "BULLETIN: Decorative Lighting Strings" (red label indoor or outdoor, green label indoor only; updated May 29, 2025). “indoor-use only light strings are marked with UL Solutions green holographic label”
Gutter Helmet, "Safety Tips for Hanging Outdoor Christmas Lights" (published November 25, 2015; updated October 17, 2023). “use those designed for outdoor use with three-prong plugs”
UL Solutions, "Safe Lighting Tips to Keep the Season Bright," November 14, 2025. “do not overload power strips and outlets. Avoid connecting multiple power strips together”
UL Solutions, "Safe Lighting Tips to Keep the Season Bright," November 14, 2025. “inspect all electronics for visible damage (such as broken sockets or frayed wires)”
UL Solutions, "Safe Lighting Tips to Keep the Season Bright," November 14, 2025. “turn off powered decorations when not at home or while asleep”
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, release 14-042, December 5, 2013 (15,000 injuries, falls 34 percent; labels; GFCI). “CPSC estimates more than 15,000 holiday decorating injuries during November and December”
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, release 14-042, December 5, 2013 (15,000 injuries, falls 34 percent; labels; GFCI). “involved falls (34%)”

Written by Foothill Home Services. Local prices on this page are our own draft rates from the price list the quote tool uses. Where we quote an outside page, the quote is linked in the sources above, and we last checked this page on October 13, 2026. Other outside figures are described as the source reports them.

How to secure Christmas lights in Santa Ana winds near Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga