Yeah, just lower it enough to accomplish the task. Just letting you know what to look out for and what to expect. It's very easy to do. Once you dig in you'll see.
A good place to look for strut installation is www.maximummotorsports.com. They have tech articles on installs of their products there. Very detailed info. The spring popping out is something to be very wary of, that thing can kill you. You can use a bike chain and lock to secure it to the A-arm or something. Its added insurance that you dont get hurt or killed. I used a chain and grade 8 bolt on my rear springs, but used nothing when I changed my front ones. Those springs make me nervous, A buddy of mine had one fly out and hit him in the leg a few weeks ago. I think he said the top nut let loose while the car was on the lift. It doesnt happen very often, but if it happens to you its one time too many.
Good luck. If you have a compressor and good impact gun, you will be fine. I used a 4ft breaker bar to get the bottom nuts loose.
When I changed out my springs I had to kick them out, even with the control arm way down. They can pop out though on thier own like jerry said, You should be ok if keep pressure on them.