UK Power Networks is reminding households to prioritise safety when putting up Christmas lights

‘Safety first and avoid the worst’ when putting up your Christmas lights is the seasonal message from UK Power Networks.

The company which delivers electricity across London, the South East and East of England, is reminding people to put safety first and be careful.

Festive lights inside and outside your home are fun but first make sure those fairy lights aren’t a fire risk. Householders should check old sets of lights, not overload sockets and take special care when putting the lights up. And don’t forget to turn them off when leaving the house or going to bed.

Older lights can be dangerous if damaged so replace blown or damaged bulbs and make sure you check them before putting them on the tree or outside. Never change or remove bulbs when they are switched on.

You could consider buying a new set with higher safety standards. It’s important to buy from a reputable source, so look for the BS Kitemark and avoid buying second hand.

With wet and snowy weather this month, take care when climbing ladders outside and look up to avoid contact with any cables coming into the property.

Ros Forbes, an education and engagement advisor at UK Power Networks, said: “For many families the start of December is the cue to reach for the Christmas decorations and put on a light show inside and outside their homes. We encourage everybody doing that to follow our simple advice to stay safe as they get into the festive spirit.

“If you are installing lights, take care and keep well away from any cables you may see coming into your property, as electricity lines are sometimes mistaken for phone lines. Some power lines are a bit less obvious in poor light and bad weather so do remember to look up and check. Anything that gets close to a live overhead electricity power line, can conduct electricity which can injure or kill, even at a domestic voltage.”

Ten top tips for a safe switch on at home:

Look up and keep your ladder well away from power lines outside
Position the ladder or steps on a stable surface
Discard any old festive lights with frayed wires -replace with new low voltage lights
Check lighting used outdoors is designed for outdoor use
Keep water away from wiring when watering a real Christmas tree
Avoid trailing wires and trip hazards by putting your tree near a power socket
Use a residual current device (RCD) which will interrupt the power if it detects a problem
Avoid overloading plug sockets and always fully unwind extension leads
Switch all Christmas lights off when leaving the house or going to bed
Avoid putting lights or Christmas decorations on utilities infrastructure