Christmas Electrical Safety Advice

Some timely tips on keeping electrically safe this and future festive periods from Electrical Safety First:-

• Real Christmas trees can catch fire a lot quicker than fake ones, especially if dry! If you do have a real tree, make sure that you are keeping it well watered, and avoid spraying hairspray on the needles to preserve them as this will make them highly flammable.
• Don’t forget to turn off your beauty appliances such as hair straighteners before you leave for a night out!
• Make sure you remember to turn off your Christmas lights when you go to bed or leave the house.
• Don’t overload sockets and try to avoid the use of extension leads or adaptors – they can be an easy trip hazard and plugging too many appliances into one socket can cause it to overheat, which is a big fire risk.
• It’s easy to get distracted when cooking the Christmas feast and leave hobs and appliances unattended.
• Looking for some great Boxing Day deals online? Steer clear of dodgy listings or deals too good to be true for electrical items as these are likely to be counterfeit goods that could cause an electrical fire or shock – stick to the retailers you know and trust.
• When you put your decorations and lights back in storage, make sure you store them safely and securely in a place that isn’t prone to damp conditions – avoid places like a garage, shed or cellar. Also take the time to ensure you are storing your lights tidily and not in a tangled mess to avoid fraying the wires and breaking the bulbs.

Lastly, may I add, do check your smoke alarms and your carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Have a safe and merry Christmas!