Elf and Safety during the Christmas Period
As winter approaches, festive activities are just around the corner! Christmas lights can brighten up your home, but they also pose potential electrical safety risks. We want these events to be enjoyable and safe. To help you enjoy the season safely, here are some health and safety tips:
Test your fire alarms regularly
This is the first and most important step to staying safe. If you haven’t tested them yet, it’s never too late. Ensure all alarms in your home are working correctly. For more information, visit our fire safety page.
Candles
· Candles/tea lights shouldn’t be placed near curtains, furniture, and anything else that could be flammable.
· Keep loose clothing and hair away from candles/tea lights when they are lit.
· Always place your candles/tea lights in a suitable fire-resistant candle holder.
· Make sure the candleholder holds the candle/tea light firmly and is on a flat and stable surface to stop it from falling over.
· Why not make the swap to LED candles where possible?
Avoid overloading electrical sockets
With extra holiday lights and decorations, be cautious about overloading power outlets. Always turn off Christmas tree lights and other electrical decorations before going to bed.
Fairy lights
· Check the voltage of electrical lights before plugging them in, this is particularly important when ordering online from suppliers overseas.
· If you start using the lights and you can smell burning, see smoke or the casing on the plug feels hot to the touch, turn it off and unplug it straight away.
· Does anything look wrong? Is the plug casing cracked or is the cable worn? Are there scorch marks on the plug? If it’s arrived in anything but pristine condition, then it is not worth the risk. Damaged electrical items should be disposed of or returned if new.
Keep decorations away from heat sources
Be mindful of decorations placed on radiator covers, near heat sources, or light fittings, particularly if they’re made of paper or cardboard as they will burn easily.
More fire safety advice can be found at Bucks Fire Safety Hub.
For further information on electrical safety at Christmas, visit the Electrical Safety First Website.
