The best time to take down Christmas lights is after the holiday season. You can leave them up until January, but it's good to start taking them down after Christmas so you can focus on other activities. It's important to take down Christmas lights carefully to avoid any accidents. Make sure to use a ladder if you need to reach high places and always use caution. Also, it's a good idea to check the lights for any damage or defects before taking them down. If there are any problems, it's best to replace the lights instead of keeping them up.