Christmas lights |
To have a safe and happy festive season, it´s worth keeping a few things in mind.
The Electrical Safety Office website explains important things you need to know about buying, using and storing Christmas lights. Follow these links for more information.
- Choose the right type of Christmas lights for the location.
- Are the lights for indoors or outdoors?
- Will the lights be used near children?
- Only buy lights that have an Australian certificate of approval mark.
- Only buy lights that have insulated pins on the supply plug.
- Buy your lights from a reputable dealer- don´t buy lights from places like weekend markets. It would be a false economy if cheap lights caused a fire.
- If you buy second hand Christmas lights you should have them checked by a licensed electrical contractor before you use them.
- Read the manufacturer´s instructions for installation and ensure you adhere to all safety warnings.
- Before use, check Christmas lighting and all leads for damage. Never use a damaged lead.
- Ensure your safety switch is working.
If you don´t already have a safety switch on your switchboard, it is worthwhile having one installed or at the very least using a portable safety switch.
If you have any doubts about the electrical safety of any Christmas lights, decorative lighting, other electrical equipment or your electrical installation, contact a licensed electrical contractor. You can find them in the Yellow Pages, White Pages, your local newspaper or by contacting an electrical industry association.
For more information about electrical safety or Christmas lights, visit www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au.
Last reviewed 20/12/2011 |
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