The Nutcracker, Elf, and Fairy

For Electrical Fire Safety Week 2023 we're raising awareness about using electrical goods properly and safely in the run up to and during Christmas.

It’s the time of year when your home is twinkling with the sight of fairy lights, trees and festive decorations, but it’s important not to forget important steps to keep safe.

• Check your Christmas lights: After 12 months packed away in the loft, Christmas lights can become electrically unsafe. Check they are in good working order before using them with no broken or frayed cables, and no broken bulbs.
• Turn off fairy lights: Make sure they are switched off before leaving the house or going to bed.
• Don’t overload sockets: With all the lights and decorations in your home, electrical sockets can become overloaded. Never overload an extension lead by plugging in appliances that together will exceed the maximum current rating stated for the extension lead. This could cause the plug in the wall socket to overheat and possibly cause a fire. Never daisy chain extension cords to create more sockets either, as this can cause the sockets to overload which can potentially cause a fire.
• Be careful when cooking: When making a festive feast in the kitchen, keep flammable items such as tea towels and oven gloves away from hob rings and never leave any cooking unattended. If you need to leave the room for any reason, turn your oven and/or hobs off.
• Purchase electrical goods wisely: Be careful when shopping for presents, particularly online. It might be tempting to save money through buying from online marketplaces, but this can leave you open to unknowingly purchasing counterfeit goods that don’t meet safety standards and pose a fire risk. Only buy from a reputable retailer to ensure they meet safety standards.