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Make Safety Part of Your Festive Glow! ✨ Check Out Our Christmas Electrical Tips

Posted Time

11/07/2024

Author

Allyn White

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Allyn White

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✨Light Up Every Celebration Safely! ✨

Whether it’s Christmas, birthdays, or other festive occasions, special lighting adds magic to every event. But before you start decking out your space, let’s talk safety! Here are some quick tips to keep your family safe from electrical hazards when buying and or installing lighting around your home."

Inspect & Replace

Before letting your inner decorator shine, check last year’s Christmas lights for any wear and tear—loose connections, frayed wires, or damaged cords. Throw out any worn ones and replace them with new ones!

Sparkle Safely: Light Check Examination Alert

Take a moment to inspect your Christmas lights! Check for any cracked sockets, loose connections, or frayed wires—damaged wiring can lead to electrical hazards or even a fire risk through short circuits. If anything looks worn out, toss it out and replace them with new. Keep safety at the top of your list, remember Safety first!

Choose the Right Lights:

• Select lights designed for their intended use – indoors or outdoors.

• Read those package instructions! Don’t exceed the recommended wattage.

• Only buy decorations from a reputable dealer who knows the electrical equipment safety requirements. Christmas lights must meet safety standards and are required to have an Australian certificate of approval. 

Extension Cord and Plug Safety

• Don’t overload those extension cords – it’s a recipe for overheating and potential fire hazards.

• Keep that third prong on plugs intact – it’s your friend against electrical shock.

• Outdoor decorations? Plug them into Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) for that added layer of protection.

Product Safety Guidelines:

• Stick to reputable sources for your electrical products.

• Watch out for typos – they might signal a dodgy or counterfeit product.

• Check for the approval mark of an accredited certification agency; it’s your guarantee of meeting safety standards.

Installing Decorations:

• Connect a maximum of three light strings – follow those manufacturer’s instructions.

• No bulbs touching anything they shouldn’t!

• Keep an eye out for overhead power lines – safety first, even on a ladder.

• Don’t put Christmas lighting around or above swimming pools or have leads lying in water or wet areas 

Additional Safety Tips:

• Beware when buying Christmas lights, look for an Australian certification approval. 

• Ensure you have working smoke detectors.

• Check that you have safety switches on all circuits and that your safety switches work – push the test button.

• Ensure that you have no double adapters on power boards

• Ensure all outdoor connections are weatherproof!

• Ensure lights are extra low voltage.

• Don’t put Christmas lighting around or above swimming pools or have leads lying in water or wet areas.

• Ensure that lights are clear of power lines and driveways.

• Keep decorations out of reach of children and away from curious pets.

• Turn off outdoor lighting in rainy and stormy weather.

• Turn off indoor and outdoor lights when you leave the house or hit the hay.

Indoor and Outdoor Lights Distinction:

• Use lights where they’re meant to be used – indoors or outdoors.

• Outdoor lights need that weatherproof rating (look for the IP number), and some might need transformers indoors.

Buying Christmas Lights:

• Beware of buying Christmas lights from overseas as they have different safety standards, and their products may be unsafe for use here in Australia. Electrical equipment sold in Australia must meet strict electrical safety standards. 

• Stick to reputable dealers with that Aussie certification.

• Say no to online Christmas lights shopping from overseas – let’s keep it safe and local!

Visit www.eess.gov.au to search for registered products.

Connecting Safely:

• Install a safety switch and give it a test run before the big  lights-on moment!– Use power boards with overload protection – and ditch those double adaptors.

• Check all leads for damage and unwind those extension leads to prevent overheating, discontinue and throw out if damage and replace with new.

• Use extra low voltage outside, such as LED and solar lights where possible.

For more comprehensive electrical safety tips visit https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/electrical-equipment/christmas-lights