Homes across Ireland will be decked with twinkling lights, Christmas trees and decorations that bring the magic of the season alive. However, with the increased use of electrical decorations, there is also an increased risk of electrical accidents.

At Lavelle Electrical Group, your safety is our top priority, and we want to help you enjoy a safe and merry Christmas.

Here are our top 10 tips for ensuring electrical safety this festive season:

Inspect Your Christmas Lights

Before you decorate, it’s important to check your Christmas lights for any signs of wear and tear. Look out for frayed wires, broken bulbs, or damaged plugs, which could lead to short circuits or even fires. If your lights are old or damaged, it’s safer to replace them with new, energy-efficient LED lights.

Switch to LED Lights

LED Christmas lights not only use less energy, saving you on your electricity bill, but they also produce less heat than traditional incandescent bulbs. This reduces the risk of overheating, which is especially important if you’re decorating your tree or hanging lights near flammable materials.

Use Indoor and Outdoor Lights Appropriately

Not all lights are made for both indoor and outdoor use. Outdoor lights are designed to withstand weather conditions like rain, snow, and wind, while indoor lights are not. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you’re using the right type of lights in the appropriate locations.

Don’t Overload Sockets

With the excitement of Christmas decorating, it’s easy to plug multiple lights and devices into a single socket. However, overloading sockets can cause overheating and potentially start a fire. Spread the load across different sockets and use extension leads with built-in surge protection where necessary.

Turn Off Lights When Not in Use

While Christmas lights are beautiful to look at, leaving them on overnight or when you’re not home can be risky. It’s safer to turn them off before going to bed or leaving the house. You can also invest in a timer switch or a smart plug to automatically control when your lights turn on and off, giving you peace of mind.

Keep Christmas Trees and Decorations Away from Heat Sources

Whether you have a real or artificial tree, make sure it’s placed away from heat sources such as radiators, fireplaces, or heaters. Heat can dry out real trees, making them more flammable, and can also damage electrical wiring on your lights and decorations.

Use RCD Protection

An RCD (Residual Current Device) can save lives by quickly cutting off the power if it detects a fault, such as an electric shock. If you don’t already have one installed in your fuse box, consider using a plug-in RCD for any outdoor lights or high-powered decorations.

Keep Cords Tidy and Safe

Ensure that extension cords and light wires are not running under carpets, through doorways, or where they can be pinched. Not only can this damage the wires, but it also creates a tripping hazard. Keep cables tidy and secured with cable clips or ties where possible.

Keep an Eye on Heating Devices

Many of us use electric heaters or fireplaces to keep warm during the colder months. Be sure to keep decorations, wrapping paper, and Christmas trees away from these devices. Heaters can easily ignite flammable materials, and any electrical fault with the heater itself should be addressed immediately.

Hire a Professional for Electrical Work

If you’re planning any major electrical installations for the festive season, such as installing outdoor lights or new electrical sockets or just need some solid advice, it’s always best to call a qualified electrician. At Lavelle Electrical Group, we have the expertise to ensure your home is safely set up for the Christmas period.