Electrical Safety Advice for Night Lights

Night lights usage and safety

Night lights are great for small children or anyone who isn’t keen on the dark, and they can be a lifesaver in a night-time emergency. But it’s important to use them safely.

Night lights come in various designs and can be either plug-in or battery powered. Some have a built-in light sensor that turns the light on automatically when it gets dark and off during daylight. And many use LED lights that are energy-efficient and have a long lifespan.

Adjustable brightness levels and timers are common features of modern night lights, and you can also now buy smart night lights connected to a home automation system or controlled through a mobile app. These can be programmed to turn on and off at specific times or controlled remotely.

Key points

All plug-in night lights must be fitted with UK 3-pin plug pins.
Whichever type you choose, buy from a reputable retailer.
Be careful where you place a plug-in night light to avoid creating a trip hazard.
Check regularly for any signs of damage.

Buying a night light

Whichever you choose, buy from a reputable retailer rather than a third-party seller online, as it may not have passed all the necessary safety checks.
Register your night light so you can be contacted easily if there is a safety recall. It’s also much easier to return a faulty product or order a repair if it’s registered.

Using a night light safely

Night lights are generally safe to use if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and take a few sensible precautions before and during use.
Stop using your night light if it appears to be damaged. Don’t attempt to alter or manipulate your night light in any way.
Night lights are not generally watertight and are unsuitable for use in damp environments. Also avoid handling your night light with wet hands and keep it away from water or any other liquid.

ALWAYS

Do plenty of research first before buying.
Buy from a reputable retailer.
Buy a known and trusted brand.
Register your night light with the manufacturer.
Switch off and unplug from the socket when not in use.

AVOID

Buying from third-party sellers online.
Using a night light in wet or damp environments.
Using if there are signs of damage to the wires or plug.

Stay safe with electrical products

Check plugs and sockets

If you have a plug-in night light, only plug it into a standard electrical outlet. And check the plug and socket regularly for burn marks, sounds of ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) or if it feels too hot to touch.

Protect with an RCD

An RCD (residual current device) in your consumer unit (fusebox) protects you from electric shocks should there be a fault with the night light. If you don’t have RCD protection, use an RCD plug on the socket where the light is plugged in.

Fit smoke and heat alarms

Ensure there is at least one smoke or heat alarm per floor in your property. Fit enough alarms to cover all areas where a fire could start.

Test alarms at least once a month. Replace them every ten years or when the replace by date is reached.

Additional info

LED night lights generally consume 0.5-2 watts of electricity, making them the most energy-efficient option, although smart LED night lights can consume from 1-5 watts depending on the features and settings. Incandescent night lights typically consume 4-7 watts.

Has your electrical product been recalled?

Electrical products are recalled more regularly than you might think, but the response rate to a recall is often worryingly low. This means there are potentially millions of recalled electrical items still in UK homes.

Check your appliances

Night lights