To make sure everyone can enjoy their decorations and stay safe, here are Blue Tech Electrical’s top Christmas lights safety tips.
Always check your Christmas lights are not damaged or broken before you put them up. Don’t use lights that are damaged or faulty
If they are missing a few bulbs, then only replace with the same type and rating as those supplied with the lights
Don’t connect different light sets together
Keep lights away from anything that can burn easily
Never use lights outdoors unless they’re designed for this
Switch off your lights and unplug them overnight or when you’re out of the house
Don’t overload sockets and avoid trailing extension leads across the floor
Connect any outdoor lights via a RCD protected socket. Residual Current Devices (RCD) are life-savers designed to prevent you from getting an electric shock. They can also protect against electrical fires
If you can, use LED lights. They operate at a lower voltage, so reduce the risk of shock. And because they use less power, they’re less likely to overheat and are a cheaper to run
And finally, always test out your smoke and CO alarms.