Christmas is a time of celebration, and one of the last things a family needs is an accident caused by faulty Christmas lights. There are safeguards which can be taken to prevent this from happening. This guide covers the areas which may contribute to unsafe practice when using Christmas lights, in the hope that those who seek advice can have a peaceful Christmas, without the added worry of dangers arising from their use.
Buying lights.
When purchasing lights, do be aware that cheap imports may not be to set standards. Look for the labels on the packages, as these denote if the product has been tested. The labels to look for are ETL or UL approval notices. These mean that the lights being sold have been tested to a good standard and are safe to use in the home.
Care should also be taken when purchasing lights to be displayed outside. Outside lighting should be specifically made for this purpose and indoor lights should never be used in an outside environment. They also need a grounded interrupter and while many homes have these pre-installed by electricians, others will not. If the home does not possess one, it's a wise investment and essential for outdoor lighting.
It's important as well to have extensions and leads which are specifically geared to outside use. Check out the selection available and note that smaller lights have less risk of overheating. Check also to ensure that all lights purchased have a fuse system and that spare bulbs are available with each set bought. It's wise to buy more bulbs at the time of purchase, since these may not be readily available in future Christmas seasons.
Using older lights
Before hanging the lights, inspect each set to ensure that there are no broken wires or broken bulbs. Broken wires may cause risk of fire, and it is wise to discard those which are defective. On the other hand, bulbs can be easily replaced with those of similar wattage before testing the lights to see if they work. As Christmas lights do tend to be packed away carelessly at the end of the season, open the plugs to check that all connections are secured, as these may have come loose during the packing, or when being dismantled.
Common areas where problems occur
Metallic trees may cause an unnecessary shock. Do check that the lights are indeed suitable to the purpose they are being used for. A common area of problems occurring is that sockets are overloaded. This is unwise practice. To counter this, extension leads can be used with multiple sockets, but homeowners should respect that indoor extensions cannot be used in an outside environment.
Over-heating is common in Christmas lights. Often this is due to the lights being left on over an extended period of time. Limit the time that the lights are on to periods when these have the most effect, and turn lights off overnight.
If small children are present within the home, make sure that all lights are secured so that they cannot be pulled or played with by little hands. Similarly, keep all lights out of the reach of curious pets.
If outdoor lights are to be hung at height, ensure that safe ladders are used and that two people perform this task together. These should be responsible adults, one to hang the lights, and one to secure the ladder. Lights on the outside of a home should never get in the way of utility wires. Safety at height is essential and children should not be involved in this process, other than as spectators.
With safe use of Christmas lights, the Christmas period can be wonderful. Lights which are safely used will assure the home of illuminations which add to the ambiance of Christmas. Be safe and secure in the knowledge that adequate safety precautions were adhered to.