Electrical Safety at Christmas
Colourful fairy lights - both indoor and outdoor - are a popular part of our Christmas decorations. But are you putting your home and your loved ones at risk when you deck the halls with twinkling lights?
Follow our simple advice to enjoy a safe and happy Christmas.
Christmas Lights - Top Tips
To help prevent the most common electrical problems with Christmas lights, we recommend the following simple precautions and checks.
ALWAYS:
- read and follow the manufacturers' instructions
- check your Christmas lights are not damaged or broken before use and look out for loose wires
- use only replacement bulbs of the same type and rating as those originally supplied with the lights
- ensure all outdoor lights are conneted via a 30mA RCD protected socket
- replace failed lamps immediately to prevent overheating
- ensure plugs and transformers are plugged in indoors, even if the lighting is suitable for outdoor use
- switch your lights off and unplug them before you go to bed or go out
- keep lights away from flammable decorations and materials that can burn easily
NEVER:
- use lights outdoors unless they are specially designed for such use
- connect different lighting sets together
- connect lights to the supply whilst still in the packaging
- remove or insert lamps while the chain is connected to the supply
- overload sockets - try to avoid the use of extension leads or adaptors
- allow children or pets to play with Christmas lights
- attempt to repair faulty lights - replace them
- use lights that are damaged or faulty
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