Electrical safety becomes a priority as we look forward to the season when Christmas lights are displayed, decorations are hung, and a tree coated in tinsel serves as the centerpiece of your home.
To make sure everyone has a joyful and safe Christmas at your home, here are our top five recommendations for electrical safety:
1. INSPECT DECORATIONS PRIOR TO USE
Make sure to inspect both new and old decorations for frayed power connectors, loose connections, and exposed wires—anything that seems unsafe. There is still a chance for harm even if the decorations are brand new or were carefully stored away. When changing out Christmas light bulbs, make sure the new ones are the proper wattage. Ensure decorations are placed at least one metre away from any heat sources when turned on.
2. CHECK THAT YOUR LIGHTS COMPLY WITH AUSTRIAN SAFETY STANDARDS
Avoid purchasing Christmas lights and other electrical ornaments from garage sales or online marketplaces since you really have no idea what you’re buying. Be on the lookout for any shady goods or decorations with unusual voltage allowances that may harm your electricals.
TIP: Before purchasing any lights, check for an Australian product approval number or the regulatory compliance mark.
3. WHEN NOT IN USE, TURN OFF THE LIGHTS
Before to going to bed at night, it is essential to turn off your Christmas lights. Christmas tree lights should never be left on overnight, so doing so will help prevent the risks associated with overheating lights. Investing in a timer or lights that can be programmed to turn off at a specific time is a great method to avoid forgetting.
4. DO NOT OVERLOAD YOUR CIRCUIT
In particular while using extension cords, make sure you don’t overload your circuit. To prevent circuit overload, find out how many of your appliances are using the same circuit currently, what their normal wattages are, and how long each gadget will be in use.
You should then check your circuit breaker to determine how many amps or watts it can safely load before it will fail.
5. KEEP THE PHONE NUMBER OF AN EMERGENCY ELECTRICIAN HANDY
Ensure that you can contact a qualified electrician when you need one. If someone is keeping an eye on your house while you’re on vacation, they also need that number. We are available for emergency callouts whenever you need us. Your safety switch location should always be noted, along with instructions on how to locate it and use it in an emergency.
Contact Well Connected Electrical Services on 0406 065 905 if you have an electrical emergency this festive season. Emergency callout rates do apply.
