Christmas-Safety-Blog

With Christmas just around the corner, everyone’s main focus should be on having fun and enjoying the festivities but it is also important to stay safe, particularly when it comes to decorations. All the extra clutter around the house can pose a fire risk and Christmas is the only time of year when infrequently used fairy lights are draped both inside and outside the house. The risks are shown by the fact that during the Christmas period in 2011/12, fairy lights caused 47 house fires. However, there are a few simple steps that will let you enjoy them without needing to worry.

Buying Fairy Lights

There are a few things to think about before buying a new set of Christmas lights. Lights should carry the BSI Kitemark™ which is not a legal standard but does certify that the lights meet the highest requirements in terms of safety and performance. With proper maintenance and correct use, kitemarked fairy lights will be highly unlikely to overheat or spark but, in order to be sure that the BSI kitemark is genuine, it is also advisable to only buy lights from a reputable distributor. This should also protect you if the lights are defective.

Second-hand fairy lights are best avoided unless they have been professionally checked. Remember that you have no idea how second-hand lights have been treated before they get to you. In terms of testing, most new lights should be transformed down to a safer 24V so therefore count as a Class 3 appliance with no need to PAT test. The plug-to-transformer section, however, would normally count as a Class 2 appliance and should therefore be PAT-tested regularly.

Using Fairy Lights Safely

Before decorating with fairy lights, you should check them for signs of damage. Damaged lights are not worth the risk and should be safely disposed of. In cases where a bulb needs replacing, just remember to unplug the lights before changing it. It is also important to make sure that indoor lights are not used outdoors. They will be vulnerable to water ingress from rain or snow which could cause them to short circuit, overheat or spark.

Make sure to turn lights off overnight and when you leave the house. The less time lights are on, the less chance there is of overheating and someone present can spot early warning signs such as smoke, light failure or a burning smell. Keeping lights safely away from flammable decorations like tinsel and cards helps further safeguard against serious consequences to sparking or overheating and this includes avoiding running cables under carpets. Finally, it is often a good idea for both indoor and outdoor lights to add an RCD which offers further protection from electric shock.

Storing Fairy Lights

Make sure that you are careful when taking down fairy lights so that you do not damage them for next year. Folding them neatly might take a bit more time but can help avoid smashed bulbs or stressed cable when it comes to taking them back out next year. Finally, remember to store lights in a dry, cool place where there is no risk from heat warping the cable or damaging water ingress. The loft should be fine!

Merry Christmas!

Following a short, simple process when buying, using and storing Christmas lights is enough to prevent mishaps, allowing you to get on with the more important task of enjoying yourself over the festive period!