The festive season is in full swing and homes across Northern Ireland are twinkling with fairy lights and Christmas cheer. But are you taking dangerous risks with your safety during the festive period? We’ve highlighted some common electrical issues that may be putting you and your family in danger, with some simple tips to help you stay safe.
Preventing Christmas Tree fires
The majority of fires started by Christmas trees are caused by electrical problems. Here are a few things you can do to keep your tree safe:
-Check your Christmas tree lights for frayed wires and replace if any are found
-Switch your Christmas tree lights off before leaving the house or going to bed
-Keep your tree a safe distance away from any heat source
Precautions whilst putting up your Christmas decorations
Most people will only use their Christmas lights once a year; therefore it’s important they are tested prior to being put up again, additionally, if your old Christmas lights have been stored uncovered in bad conditions such as the garage all year, it’s a good idea to replace them with a newer set. Here are a few simple instructions on how to stay safe around your electrical appliances:
-Check that your Christmas lights are not damaged before fitting them
-Replace failed lamps immediately, make sure you only use replacement lamps of the same type and rating – if lamps are not replaceable, the whole unit may need replacing
-Ensure all your outdoor lighting is connected to an RCD protected socket, this reduces the risk of electric shock and fires. Additionally, make sure any electrics outside are plugged into weatherproof sockets
-Never overload power sockets, this can lead to overheating and fires
-Ensure you turn your lights off when you are asleep or out of the house, alternatively, put them on a timer to make sure you don’t forget
ABC Electrical NI phone lines are open 24 hours a day, every call matters to us! If any of these issues occur at your home during winter, don’t hesitate to get in touch with ABC Electrical! With over 20 years in both the domestic and commercial electrical industry, there is no problem too big or too small! Areas we service include Armagh, Banbridge Craigavon, Lurgan and Portadown. However, we do accommodate customers across Northern Ireland on certain electrical jobs.
