During the Christmas season, houses are brilliantly lit up and provide a magical sense to the season. Lights are, however, a fire and electrical hazard so here are some tips to enjoy the season safely.
When purchasing lights and extension cords always check the certification to ensure the products comply with applicable safety standards. Never piggy-back or connect more than one extension cord together – instead, use a single cord that is long enough to reach the outlet, but not too long that it can become tangled. Also, ensure the cords are placed out of reach from young little ones.
Prior to installing lights on the Christmas tree or on your house, carefully inspect the cords for damage and immediately discard any frayed cords, cords with loose connections, or damaged casings. Better yet, have your lights tested and tagged by a qualified inspector (see recommended contact below). Christmas lights in your office, like all other electrical items, require testing and tagging as per AS/NZS 3760:2010 in Australia and New Zealand.
When replacing bulbs or when installing lights ensure to unplug the cord first. You should always turn the lights of when the property is unattended or when heading off to sleep. You can even use an outdoor timer to switch lights on and off or use solar powered lights. Outdoor light connectors should be kept off the ground, protected, and kept away from metal gutters. To hold lights in place, use insulated tape or plastic clips instead of metal fasteners.
Finally, be sure to use the correct ladder when climbing (double check the certification to ensure it complies with applicable standards), ensure it is placed on stable ground and that you can maintain 3 points of contact – platform ladders are recommended if a ladder is required as the platform provides a solid base and the railing provides some form of protection from falling.
Happy lighting to all!!
For Christmas tree safety tips, including how long it takes a tree to burn, watch this video.
Remember, for young children’s safety keep cords out of children’s reach, electrical sockets protected, heavy objects secured (e.g., TV’s, dresser drawers), and bags and packing discarded immediately / kept out of the reach of children.
Also, when visiting family and friends, be aware of hazards such as medicines, perfumes, and chemicals in non-child proofed places, including purses or jackets. Ornaments can also be a choking hazard and best kept away from young children. You can protect the tree by placing the tree in a play pen to prevent access or use child friendly ornaments (though expect the bottom half of your tree to be bare when there are under 2s about). Supervision is your best bet to keeping your kids safe.
From our house to yours, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!
For testing and tagging of your electrical equipment contact Scott Deamer of Jims Test & Tag, 0418 432 889, http://jimstestandtag.com.au