The Christmas tree is on, three new phones are charging, someone’s blow drying their hair before the traditional Christmas walk, and the TV’s been on all day.
This setting is extremely common on December 25th, and it likely sounds familiar to anyone who has celebrated the holiday in the past few years. While it might stir up nostalgic memories of lazy days by the fire, it is also rife with potential electrical safety hazards. Electrical accidents are always something to be wary of, but at Christmas it’s necessary to consider a few more points.
Below, we’ve outlined some of the most important electrical safety checks you can perform to ensure that this Christmas won’t be accompanied by any unexpected drama.
Sockets
Christmas is wonderful, as are all of the lights commonly associated with it. It is essential, however, that you’re aware of the amount of appliances you’ve got plugged into the mains. Whether they’re directly plugged in, or you’re using extension leads, overloading power sockets is never a good idea. Failure to acknowledge this risk could lead to fires or electric shocks, both of which are clearly extremely dangerous.
Lights and trees
If you’re a traditionalist at Christmas, you’ll probably have a tree in your house. That tree will also probably have some lights wrapped around it. This decorative feature poses another potential risk to your home. From an electrical safety perspective, you must check your lights for any worn parts of the wire, and for any damage to the bulbs. If not looked after properly, Christmas tree lights become a very real fire hazard, especially if the tree is at all dried out.
If you prefer artificial trees, then it’s worth making sure the tree is fire resistant. If it’s not, then we would recommend replacing it with one that is; it’s always better to reduce risks in whatever way you can.
Choosing your lights
Continuing with our Christmas lights theme, it’s also very important to make a number of checks before you purchase your decorations. For example, always ensure that the CE safety standard mark is present; if not, then look elsewhere. Also, be sure to visit a reputable store if you’re purchasing lights; that way, it’s far less likely that they’ll be selling any potentially untested products.
Consider choosing lights with a lower voltage, too. In recent times, manufacturers have begun supplying LED lights far more frequently, which typically run at a much lower voltage. This, unsurprisingly, vastly reduces the risk of electric shocks.
London Electricians
If you’re still in any doubt about the electrical safety of your home this Christmas, get in touch with London Electricians. We’re happy to offer our professional opinion, and can advise you on ways to remain safe this holiday season.
Give us a call on 020 8728 9179, or fill out one of our online contact forms.
