This is a helpful blog on Christmas light safety, including tips on stopping your cat from peeing on the Christmas tree.
That time of year is creeping up fast again, and we all know we have to pack quite a lot of shopping, decorating, cooking and celebrating into our busy schedules before December 25th arrives. Christmas electrical lights are quite often not thought about until the tree comes out.
This article aims to refresh electrical knowledge you can apply to your home and workplace. It isn’t about banning the use of electrical items at Christmas, but it does highlight a few precautions you should take regarding Christmas light electrical safety.
So let’s begin,
Unless you have lived in a cave without human contact for the past 50 years (without electricity), you’ll know that electricity is dangerous. It can cause fire and electric shock- both of which can result in killing a person. If you don’t know that, then you have learnt something new just by reading these first few paragraphs. Here are typical electrical hazards at Christmas that you need to be aware of.
Xmas Memories of problems with lights
Do you remember this? I have fond memories as a kid, or not so fond. I remember my parents getting the Christmas tree decorations out of the loft and putting up the tree and decorating it; then the magic moment came, and the front room lights were dimmed, and my Dad would switch on the plug to light the Christmas tree lights, and no light came on. Then, we would sit by our bald Christmas tree for a few hours, twisting each bulb in its fitting along the wire until the loose one made a connection and lit up. When I asked my parents why they didn’t get new Christmas tree lights instead of torturing us by tightening them up, they explained that lights were a lot more expensive back then.
Nowadays, it is the smarter and safer things just to replace them with a safer alternative.
Helpful Christmas Tree Lights Safety Tips
- Modern Christmas tree lights are safer nowadays, but everyone must take care. Here are some helpful tips.
- Read the manufacturer’s instructions if you still have them.
- Buy the lights from a reputable supplier. Do not go for cheap mains-powered lighting from unknown sources, as these are probably not up to UK safety standards.
- Make sure they have the British Kite Mark on them.
- Avoid overloading sockets and extension leads, and definitely do not plug extension leads into each other.
- Check them for damage if they’ve been in a box, in the loft since last Christmas.
- If they’re damaged, such as being chewed, damage to the cables, bulbs, or plug, or if they have gotten damp while in storage, appropriately recycle them and buy some new ones.
- Only have them repaired by someone who knows what they are doing, e.g. replacing fuses with the correct type.
- Switch the electrical lights off before you go to bed.
- Use a surge-proof adapter.
- If you have a real Christmas tree, don’t place the cables near the soil or get the cables wet when watering it.
- Don’t place presents on top of the wires, and check the wires are not overheating regularly.
- Don’t replace the bulbs while they are plugged into the mains.
- If you’re installing external lights, make sure they have the correct IP rating for outdoor use. I hope you’re not mad enough to put them up in wet weather conditions.
- Buy battery-operated lights or LEDs where possible. LED lights are much safer than traditional filament lights because they operate at a lower voltage. They also produce less heat and use a lot less electricity.
- Don’t let your cat wee under the tree- especially when the lights are on. If anyone has a cat and a real Christmas tree, you will know what I’m saying. You can spray citronella around the tree (away from the electrical supply.) They don’t like it and will hopefully realise you have not bought them a new toilet for Christmas.
On that happy and gross note, have an excellent and beautifully lit Christmas.
