With Christmas just around the corner, thoughts are inevitably turning to digging out the decorations and bringing some festive sparkle to offices everywhere.
Whether it’s real or artificial, the centrepiece will probably be the Christmas tree, and it’ll no doubt be adorned with decorations, tinsel and twinkling lights. And you may even be considering some additional lights elsewhere in the offices and reception area. This all sounds magical, and so it should be. But it also carries a degree of electrical and fire risk, so it’s important to observe a few simple rules to keep everyone safe.
Christmas trees
If you’re opting for a real tree this Christmas, keep it well watered. A tree that’s starved of water will increasingly become a fire risk, especially if your Christmas lights are left on for long periods and become hot. If left to dry out, your tree could go up in flames, causing damage and potentially serious injury for your staff and visitors. It couldn’t be simpler to keep your real tree topped up, so build it in to your routine to check the water level every few days.
Christmas lights
Whether it’s a new set or one that’s been used for a number of years and stored away in a cupboard for the remaining 11 months, it’s important to check the wiring and the plug before decorating the tree and switching them on. Wherever your Christmas lights are to be situated, include them in your regular PAT testing regime as that will also ensure that any wear and tear or faulty wiring are picked up before they cause a problem.
Candles and decorations
Candles are clearly a fire hazard and as such should be kept well away from any electrical cables or flammable items to avoid a serious incident. And when it comes to decorations, less can be more. Don’t be tempted to overload the tree, as that may cause it to fall and damage the wiring for the lights, and don’t hang anything from overhead lights, freestanding lamps or light switches. Finally, while they may look lovely together, try to keep your decorations – especially tinsel and paper items – apart from your Christmas lights.
Switch off, stay safe
Avoid leaving the Christmas lights switched on overnight and at weekends, as that will prevent them overheating and causing a fire when the premises are unattended. As with most things, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and remembering simple steps such as this will deliver a safe Yuletide for everyone. Last but not least, however much you love Christmas lights, don’t under any circumstances overload your sockets or extension cables as doing so is highly likely to result in an electrical fire.
MS Electrical offers PAT testing and fixed wire testing in Cambridge. Please call us on 01223 850301 or complete our enquiry form to request a no-obligation quotation.