Follow these tips to keep your family safe this Christmas season.
What should I do before putting up my Christmas lights?
- Inspect old Christmas lights and electrical wires to look for any sign of damage or wear and tear.
- Check all globes are properly fitted and don’t use sets with missing globes, to prevent other conductive items being placed inside the socket.
- Choose lights and fittings design for external use only when decorating outdoors.
- Read the manufacturers’ safety and installation instructions and follow these carefully.
- Only purchase lights which meet Australian safety standards.
- Position your Christmas lights away from flammable materials such as tinsel, curtains and sofas.
Tips on putting up your Christmas lights
- If not LED, do not place lights close to tinsel and flammable decorations as the heat from lights could start a fire if they are left on for a long time.
- When decorating the outside of your house choose lights and light fittings designed for external use.
- Never attach outdoor Christmas lights or electrical leads to or near overhead powerlines, power poles or streetlights.
- Take care not to overcrowd power points or use multiple double adaptors, and keep power points and adaptors out of reach of children.
- Be aware of the location and height of powerlines when carrying and setting up ladders, Christmas trees and decorations.
- Wear non-slip footwear and safety equipment when climbing ladders and installing lights on the roof and other hard to reach areas.
What else can I do to be power safe this Christmas?
- Place extension cords in low traffic areas where they won’t be a trip hazard or become damaged.
- Switch off the power before plugging in or pulling out the plug and hold the plug not the cord.
- Keep power boards and adaptors to a minimum and out of reach of children.
- Check you have a safety switch in your meter box or have a licensed electrician install one.
Safety first
- Remember to unplug your Christmas lights before going to bed or use a timer.
- Educate children of the importance of electrical safety and the danger of damaging electrical equipment.
- Store and pack Christmas lights in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Ensure lights are turned off before installing, moving or adjusting them.
- Ensure smoke detectors are installed in your home and are in good working order.
For more information
Download our Christmas Lights Safety Checklist.
Our Public Safety team is available present Electricity Safety Awareness sessions, or assist with any questions relating to electricity safety. For more information call us on 132391.
Subscribe to our Safety Newsletter
To keep up to date with safety information, subscribe to our quarterly Essential Safety email newsletter.
