Christmas lights
are designed to enhance the festivities and brighten up your home in
anticipation of the Christmas festivities.
Every household
will have a treasured Christmas decoration or lighting that has to go
on display every year, however it may be this that could potentially
spoil your Christmas should it cause a fire.
The Risks
Many people are
unaware of the fire risks and toxic materials contained in fairy
lights, Christmas decorations and candles and with the festive season
comes lowered awareness of dangers thanks to alcohol and homes being
empty for increased periods of time.
Add to this the
Christmas tree, presents and wrapping paper and you have a ready made
inferno in your home. In 2012, there were 22 accidental fires in the
Cambridge area alone during December.
There is a lot
to think about in the run up to Christmas, so thinking about what you
use for this years home decorations can save tragedy during the time
that matters most. Electrical safety should always be a key
consideration when considering what to use to decorate your home this
year.
How to
prevent an electrical fire
- When selecting fairy lights, check to see if there is a transformer box (a large black or white plug.) If the plug is a normal size then your lights are not low voltage. This presents a potential fire hazard should any of the bulbs blow when in use or if an electrical fault develops.
- Outdoor lights should only be used if the lights are suitable for outdoor use. Take care when plugging them in. A special outdoor electrical socket needs to be used. An electrical contractor in London would be pleased to assist with your outdoor electrical requirements to ensure you stay safely plugged in this Christmas.
- Is your home RCD protected? If not, it will be worth your while purchasing some RCD sockets to plug your Christmas lighting into. That way, if a fault develops the RCD will activate thereby avoiding fire and a potential electrical accident in your home. RCD sockets are low cost and available from most electrical high street outlets.
- If your home does not have a smoke alarm currently, now is the time to get one. You can purchase battery powered or have professionally installed fire alarm systems installed in your London home. Ensure your smoke alarms are tested weekly throughout the year.
Once your
decorations are up
It
is important to safely use your Christmas decorations in accordance
to the manufacturers instructions when in use.
Over
Christmas it is easy to overlook electrical safety when you are too
busy entertaining guests, having a drink or cooking whilst being
distracted. There has been more than one paper hat ignited on a gas
flame! and
don't
be tempted to hang Christmas decorations from lights and heaters as
they can easily ignite.
In
particular never
be tempted to overload electrical extension leads and sockets and
always switch off your Christmas lights before going to bed. There
is always additional demand placed on electrical sockets over
Christmas, so to avoid an electrical fire why not consider having
additional sockets installed by an electrical engineer in London?
Putting electrical safety at the top of your list this Christmas will
ensure you have the merriest of Christmases!
Conclusion
Taking
a little time now to ensure you are using the safest decorations
available and ensuring they are being used safely can mean one less
thing to worry about over the festive season.
Spreading
the Christmas electrical safety message will ensure that more
households stay safe during this festive season, leaving you time to
concentrate on other important tasks such as present buying and food
ordering!
Phew,
its non-stop!
No comments:
Post a Comment