Top ten tips for safe Christmas lights
There’s nothing quite like the twinkling of fairy lights to brighten up Christmas. But it’s really important to be aware of the potential extra risks in order to prevent fires or injury. That’s why we’ve put together some simple tips to create the sparkle and not the spark this Christmas.
Untangle your lights fully and check for any frayed cables or exposed wires.
Replace broken bulbs with the same type and rating as the originals.
If your lights are getting on a bit (and many people have lights that are decades old), it’s probably time for an upgrade.
If your set has traditional filament bulbs, you might want to replace it with a new LED version. LED bulbs emit less heat and use less energy too.
When buying new lights, check they have the BS Safety Kitemark or CE mark.
Don’t overload sockets or extension leads by plugging in loads of items or connecting extension leads to each other.
If you have a real Christmas tree, make sure it doesn’t dry out by keeping it well watered and away from heat sources – and never spray it with anything flammable like glitter or hairspray!
Only use lights outside that are specifically designed for outdoor use and plug them into an RCD (residual current device) circuit breaker.
Make sure you have a working smoke alarm – test it to check. And it’s a good idea to have a fire extinguisher within easy reach too.
Don’t forget to SWITCH OFF your lights if you go out or when you go to bed. Believe it or not, one in 12 people say they leave Christmas lights on overnight