Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas lives up to its name, whether you're decorating your home with Christmas lights or visiting famous holiday decorations, there's no shortage of ways to celebrate. 

But this isn’t just the time of year that we eat more than usual, or celebrate the festive season; it is also the time when we have the most household accidents and fires too. Therefore, you need to be aware of the electrical dangers that become apparent at this time of year. 

To help make sure your holidays don’t go from merry to scary, here are some safety tips that you should know to keep your home safe during Christmas electrical fires and other common accidents:

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1. The first thing that you should do is to inspect electrical decorations for damage before use. It is crucial to make sure you check for any split, broken or damaged wires. Exposed wiring can lead to serious injury if left unattended.

2. Do not overload electrical outlets. No matter how tempting it may be, even if you are short on available sockets, never overload power sockets, it can lead to the socket overheating and can result in a fire.

3. Check decorations for certification label.

4. Always read the instructions and retain them for future use. Instructions are provided on or in the packaging for a reason. Before you begin to decorate your tree, make sure you read and follow all instructions provided. You must check these because some manufacturers may advise you to avoid placing decorations in certain areas.5.

5. Ensure all your outdoor lighting is connected to an RCD protected socket, this reduces the risk of electric shock and fires. Additionally, make sure any electrics outside are plugged into weatherproof sockets.

6. Keep an eye on extension cords. Make sure your extension cords don’t overheat. Every once in a while, just touch the cord to measure its temperature. If it’s hot, unplug it. Also, ensure that any connector pieces are off of the ground with a brick or rock. If the connector piece is left on the ground, snow, rain or dirt can find its way into the plug, creating a hazard

7. When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. Around 210 home fires a year are caused by Christmas trees, so be sure to water your tree daily, if purchasing an artificial tree, look for a fire-resistant label.

8. Place outdoor lights outdoors. If you plan to hang lights outside, they need to be designed specifically for the outdoors. Indoor lights could be damaged by snow or rain and pose an electrical hazard if used outside.

9. Keep decorations at least three feet away from heat sources, especially those with an open flame, like fireplaces and candles. If possible use battery-operated candles.

10. Protect cords from damage. Cords should never be pinched by furniture, forced into small spaces such as doors and windows, placed under rugs, located near heat sources, or attached by nails or staples. 

11. Make sure to test your smoke alarm regularly.

12. Turn off lights when leaving the house or going to bed. Always turn off your decorations when you leave your home and when you’re sleeping. Most deadly fires happen while people are asleep.

If you manage to follow all the safety tips above, then you can prevent electrical dangers during Christmas, and allow yourself to be merry and full.  

If you feel you are experiencing some electrical issues within your home or property, or just need waterproof outdoor sockets fitted, do not take the risk this festive period. Get in touch with us today by contacting us on:

Nigel Adams - Surrey Electricians

Email: info@nigeladamselectrical.com
Tel: 01483 232066
Mob: 07850 268024