With so many electrical connections needed for different Christmas lights, it is important to be conscious of safety in your home when you are planning and setting up your display. The last thing you want to happen at Christmas is for a guest to injure themselves in your home. With this in mind, I have put together a few common sense points to consider. But please note that this advice does not replace advice from a qualified electrician, who you should refer to if you are unsure about safety related to electrical equipment.
- Only use 1 adapter or power board per power socket. Don’t plug adapters into each other (“daisy-chaining”).
- Turn off any power sockets at the switch before you unplug lights or fixtures.
- If you find damaged plugs or cables, don’t try to repair them yourself. It’s better to spend a few dollars to replace the item, or pay a qualified electrician to repair more expensive items.
- Electricity and water don’t mix! Any outdoor Christmas lights must be designed for outdoor use. Avoid handling wet cables that are plugged in to the mains. Inspect cords that will be outside for any signs of wear before use.
- Use ‘kid safe’ socket caps on any vacant live power sockets, eg power boards or adapters.
- Make sure any children that might enter your Christmas display area are aware of electrical safety, and take steps to prevent access to live cabling.
- If replacing light bulbs in your display, be sure that you are using the right type of bulbs with the correct wattage.
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