6 tips for safer Christmas lights

Consider switching to battery LEDs

As well as being much cheaper and far more eco-friendly to run than mains bulbs, LED string lights are generally much safer thanks to their lower running voltages. They don’t get hot with prolonged use, and since they use tiny diodes instead of bulbs, they’re also less fragile.

Plus, with no need for the light cable to reach an electrical socket, it’s a lot easier to avoid creating trip hazards!

Just don’t forget to take the batteries out before storing your lights away at the end of the festive period. Batteries tend to leak if they’re left unused in electronic devices for a long period, which can corrode the battery contacts and kill your lights.

Avoid counterfeit Christmas tree lights

Some online stores can offer incredible bargains on Christmas lights; but if a deal seems too good to be true, it usually is.

The market is flooded with poorly manufactured tree lights and string lights which can threaten to cause fires or electric shocks. In a test by consumer reviews brand Which?, nearly half of the lighting products they tested were found to be dangerous.

Don’t let poor buying decisions lead to tragedy. When buying lights, always look out for either the CE logo (which verifies the product is compliant with EU safety legislation) or the BSI Kitemark symbol (which demonstrates that the product meets British Standards for safety).

The HSE and Trading Standards both work to enforce the legitimate use of these symbols and weed out dodgy products.

Don’t mix up indoor lights and outdoor lights

Neighbourhood light displays are all part of the festive period; but not all Christmas lights are rated for outdoor use.

When purchasing lights, make sure any lights and extension leads you intend to use outside are weatherproof. Cold, wet weather can quickly cause indoor-rated lights to short; causing damage and even potentially starting a fire.