Property owners in the UK have been issued a warning by an expert to ensure they stay out of trouble this Christmas.
Although covering your home from head to toe in Christmas lights can be tempting to get into the festive spirit – you can land yourself in a spot of bother if you’re not careful.
This is because, in most cases, Christmas lights are shut away for the year, in the garage or loft and rarely taken out except during the Christmas period.
Most people do not conduct checks or test them before use, so in some cases, they may have been exposed to wet or damp, a bulb may have come loose, or wires may have become damaged – which may pose a serious fire hazard.
Lights are often left on throughout the night and are not supervised posing a fire risk in some cases. Meanwhile, Christmas tree lights may be left on to sparkle for hours on end.
An expert at phs Compliance, the UK’s leading provider in statutory electrical fire safety testing has issued a stark warning ahead of Christmas.
Tracy Burtwell, Managing Director at phs Compliance, said:
“Christmas decorations can pose greater safety risks than most other electrical equipment if not considered properly. Christmas lights are usually stored away for most of the year, so they could be exposed to water, dust or wire fraying during that time which could affect their safe use and present a fire risk.
“There is also the risk of overloading sockets with additional equipment and extension leads to accommodate the extra electrical equipment needed for the festive season. There are ways that venues can ensure their Christmas is safe.
“They should only use lighting equipment designed for the right use, such as indoor and outdoor, and they should regularly check equipment for damage and signs of water ingress, as well as and any trip hazards.
“With electrical equipment, it is always better to be safe than sorry. It’s not worth cutting corners on safety – have a competent and experienced professional come to test and install your Christmas electrical items. This ensures that your equipment is fit for purpose and that have done your duty of care and remain compliment.”
If you are dressing your home in festive lights this season, make sure the adequate checks are carried out so ensure everyone is kept safe. Earlier this month we also looked at the legal implications bright lights can have if they are visible to neighbours and passersby. Click here to read it.
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