The festive season is almost upon us! The wonderful time of year where people all around the world decorate their houses, from the classic Christmas tree to extravagant full house displays. However you choose to celebrate this Christmas, you need to be aware of the electrical dangers that become apparent at this time of year. Take a few minutes to read our Christmas safety tips and ensure preventable accident doesn’t take the fun out of your celebrations!
Precautions Whilst Putting Up Your Christmas Decorations
Most people will only use their Christmas lights once a year; therefore it’s important they are tested prior to being put up again, additionally, if your old Christmas lights have been stored uncovered in bad conditions such as the garage all year, it’s a good idea to replace them with a newer set.
Here are a few simple precautionary checks to carry out when fitting your Christmas lights
- Always read the instructions and retain them for future use
Check that your Christmas lights are not damaged before fitting them - Replace failed lamps immediately, make sure you only use replacement lamps of the same type and rating – if lamps are not replaceable, the whole unit may need replacing
- Ensure all your outdoor lighting is connected to an RCD protected socket, this reduces the risk of electric shock and fires. Additionally, make sure any electrics outside are plugged into weatherproof sockets
- Never overload power sockets, this can lead to overheating and fires
- Ensure you turn your lights off when you are asleep or out of the house, alternatively, put them on a timer to make sure you don’t forget
The electrical safety council now recommend the use of LED lights over traditional filament or lantern lights, this is because:
- They operate at extra low voltage, this significantly reduced the risk of electric shock
- They use 80-90% less electricity to run, this not only reduces the risk of overheating considerably, also reducing the amount of electricity used
- They are made of more durable material because there is no filament, reducing the chance of breakage
Preventing Christmas Tree Fires
The majority of fires started by Christmas trees are caused by electrical problems, here are a few things you can do to ensure a fire doesn’t start in your home:
- If you do opt for an artificial Christmas tree, choose one that is fire resistant
- Ensure your smoke alarm is working (you should test it once a month regardless of the time of year)
- Water your tree daily to prevent it drying out, dry trees are more likely to catch alight
- Check your Christmas tree lights for frayed wires and replace if any are found
- Switch your Christmas tree lights off before leaving the house or going to bed
- Keep your tree a safe distance away from any heat source
- If you have pets or young children, don’t leave them unsupervised near your tree
Prevent Unnecessary Electrical Dangers This Christmas With Allied Electrical
At Allied Electrical, we can’t stress the importance of being extra cautious of the easily preventable dangers over this festive period. If you are experiencing electrical problems in your home, or need waterproof outdoor sockets fitted for your festive lighting display, give us a call on 0117 303 9000 or fill out a contact form.
