There’s no denying that Christmas lights look very pretty and at this time of year most of us will be digging out illuminations from lofts and dusty storage spaces, ready to decorate our homes for the festive season.
However old electrical decorations and lights that have been poorly stored, and lights that are plugged into overloaded sockets, can present potential electrical hazards that can be easily avoided.
My top tip is to replace any lights or electrical decorations that are old, have been exposed to damp when not designed to be or that don’t meet the latest rigorous standards. This is the safest and the most sensible solution as good quality Christmas lights and decorations can be bought at great value prices from reputable suppliers.
Christmas lights are designed to operate at extra-low voltage (usually around 12-24 volts) or at mains voltage (230 volts). Extra-low voltage lights are definitely the safest option as they will significantly reduce the risk of an electric shock, even if the lights are faulty or if one of the lamps has broken. Look on the product packaging to find out the rated voltage of the lights – this info should be clearly marked.
Some simple safety precautions to take when using Christmas lights and electrical decorations:
- Never use lights outside unless they’re designed for outside use – this will be clearly marked on the packaging
- Always follow the instructions and never connect the lights to a mains supply whilst they’re still in the packaging
- Don’t try and repair faulty lights – it’s always best to replace them
- Turn lights off at night and if you go out
- Keep lights away from flammable decorations and other flammable materials
- Never overload sockets and try to avoid using extension lead and plug adaptors
So enjoy your Christmas lights and stay safe during the festive season! For further advice on rewiring and all aspects of electrical work, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
