With Christmas just around the corner, maybe you’re one of those enthusiasts who love to put up lights and share the yuletide spirit. Beautiful Christmas lights bring something truly special to the neighbourhood.
But to ensure your Christmas celebrations are safe – while also spectacular – here are some tips. Wishing you, your family and all those close to you a safe and happy Christmas and New Year!
- Turn off – Yes, you may have spent hours putting up your lights, but there is also a time to turn them off. And that’s when you go to bed, or you leave the house during the evening. Please, don’t let them burn while you’re out. It’s a safety thing.
- Unplug at bedtime – Never go to bed with the lights still shining or flashing on your tree. It’s a fire hazard.
- Dangerous cocktail – Metal trees and lights don’t mix and there’s always a risk of electrocution no matter how careful you think you will be.
- Burning issue – Make sure your tree is not too close to any candles that you might light as part of your celebrations. Even if the tree is plastic!
- Be cautious – Double-check the quality of lights before a purchase. Avoid those on discount, and perhaps think twice about buying cheap lights on the internet from a reputable retailer. Make sure the box cites compliance with electrical standards. Also, use indoor and outdoor lights for the purpose for which they were designed: that means, they’re not interchangeable.
- Check cords – The electrical cords of lights can lose their plastic coating and expose live wires no matter how carefully you packed them away. So, always check the state of the cables before placing them on your tree and turning on.
- Replace bulbs – Any missing or dead bulbs in a string of lights should be replaced without exception for safety reasons.
- Tape it – Always tape your lights to walls and eaves. Tacks, staples and nails hold the potential for electrocution.
- Don’t overload – It’s easy to get carried away with power boards and extension cords, but be sensible. Don’t run power to outside lights via an extension cord that goes through an open window or door. The shutting of either might break the cable and create a potential disaster.