We love to decorate our homes at Christmas. Here’s our guide on how to do it safely, so you can enjoy your celebrations all the way through to New Year.

Christmas Trees

While decorating a tree is one of the delights of the Christmas season, it’s important to make sure that you consider all safety issues before letting the kids go crazy with the tinsel. Fire is a very real possibility at Christmas time – especially when overloaded power boards overheat, or when cheap Christmas lights cause an electrical malfunction.

The first step is to consider your tree. If your tree is artificial make sure it’s fire retardant. If it’s real, make sure that it’s in a safe place, away from curtains, radiators, heaters, heat vents and candles.

To avoid fires, it’s also important that your tree is fresh as possible. Choose a tree with fresh green needles and water it every day (make sure that the lights are turned off and unplugged when you water the tree).

Choose a practical place for your tree that doesn’t block any doorways, and make sure that any power cords and power boards are well away from walkways to avoid a trip hazard.

If you’re using the same lights from last year, you’ll probably need to untangle them. While this can be a frustrating dampener to the pleasures of trimming a tree, it’s actually a great opportunity to look out for any signs of damage or wear and tear. If any cords are worn or broken or there are broken or missing bulbs, you’ll need to replace the lights with a new set. If bulbs are loose, make sure you fasten them on properly.

If you need to buy new lights, you might want to think twice before buying a cheap set. Make sure they comply with Australian Standards – look for the approval number or the compliance logo. These marks might be found on a plastic tag near the plug, on the transformer body, or on the box.

The best way to ensure your Christmas lights meet Australian safety standards is to buy them from a retailer with a good reputation. While finding a bargain online might save you a few dollars, there is a very high possibility that purchases made overseas won’t comply with our safety standards, so beware. At the very least, different countries have different electrical systems – if it doesn’t have an Australian-style plug, chances are that it won’t meet Australian standards. If it doesn’t meet Australian Standards, don’t risk it.

If you buy second-hand Christmas lights, get them tested by an electrician before you use them.  Search for a local electrician here. 

Here’s our checklist for Christmas tree light safety:

• Inspect old Christmas lights and electrical wires for any sign of damage or wear and tear;
• Check all globes are properly fitted, and don’t use sets with missing globes (other conductive materials could get in the light socket);
• Read the manufacturers safety and installation instructions;
• Only use lights which meet Australian Standards;
• Position your lights well away from flammable materials such as curtains and sofas;
• Don’t place lights close to tinsel and flammable decorations;
• Do not overcrowd power points or use multiple power adaptors – this could result in overheating, electric shocks, short-circuiting and could potentially cause a fire;
• Always unravel extension leads completely to avoid them overheating, but make sure they do not become a trip hazard;
• Keep power boards and adaptors well out of reach of children;
• Don’t install or move lights while they are turned on.
• Have you got a safety switch in your meter box? Consider getting an electrician to install one;
• Turn off your Christmas lights before going to bed;
• Make sure your safety switches and smoke detectors are in good working order. Contact an electrician if you need advice.

Outdoor Christmas lights

If you plan on decorating your house like the Griswald’s, there are a number of precautions you should take before attaching Christmas lights to your home. It’s crucial that you only use lights, extension cords and power boards that are suitable for external use. Check the IP rating to find out how weatherproof the lights are – the higher the number the better the weatherproof rating. Look for a rating of at least IP23 for outdoor festive lights.

You’ll also need to check whether the transformer needs to be located indoors – some are only suitable for temporary use outdoors. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and use waterproofing accessories if required.

Consider using solar powered lights, LEDs or extra-low voltage lights (12V or 24V). These are the safest options, as they don’t overheat, and won’t cause electric shock. They also will limit the damage to your electricity bill.

Here’s our checklist for outdoor Christmas light safety:

• Make sure the lights are secure to avoid damage in wind and storms;
• Turn off lights in bad weather;
• High powered lights like halogens, and flood lights can become very hot, so keep them away from anything flammable;
• Don’t damage electrical cables by feeding them through doorways, windows, walkways or driveways;
• Don’t run Christmas lights around wet areas such as pools and ponds;
• Be aware that using too many lights might overload your electrical system. Make sure your safety switches are in good working order. If you don’t have a safety switch installed, use a portable one;
• Use power boards with overload protection;
• Be aware of overhead power lines when using ladders;
• Use non-slip footwear when climbing ladders and installing lights in hard to reach places such as on the roof.

If you’re planning on decorating your house for Christmas, did you know that you can outsource the task to a Christmas decoration specialist? You can find Christmas stores on the Yellow Pages. Click here to find one near you.