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  Christmas lights can be modest displays to show good cheer, or million-bulb light-apaloozas that draw gawkers from near and far. Here are some tips on how to get the most from — and spend the least on — your holiday display. 1. Safety First Emergency rooms are filled with homeowners who lose fights with their holiday lights and fall off ladders or suffer electric shocks. To avoid the holiday black and blues, never hang lights solo; instead, work with a partner who holds the ladder. Also, avoid climbing on roofs after rain or snow. 2. Unpack Carefully Lights break and glass cuts. So unpack your lights gingerly, looking for and replacing broken bulbs along the way. 3. Extension Cords Are Your Friends Splurge on heavy-duty extension cords that are UL-listed for outdoor use. To avoid overloading, only link five strings of lights together before plugging into an extension cord. 4. LEDs Cost Less to Light LED Christmas lights use roughly 70% to 90% less energy and last up