News & Views
29th March 2019
Get ready for the festive season! Twelve Days of Christmas Electrical Safety
With Christmas and New Years upon us, it is important to be safe as well as to have fun. During the festive season, please take particular care when buying and installing Christmas lights, and other electrical products.
Here is NECA’s Twelve Days of “Christmas Electrical Safety”:
On the first day of Christmas an electrical contractor told me:
Always buy Australian compliant electrical products (and if in doubt ask for proof).
On the second day:
Only buy electrical products from reputable stores and check for the compliance mark or approval number.
(Check out: https://www.voltimum.com.au/brand/does-it-comply)
On the third day:
Be particularly vigilant when buying products manufactured overseas as they may not meet Australian standards
On the fourth day:
Remember that if you are buying anything online, it may not be compatible with Australian products and can cause electric shocks and/ or be a fire hazard.
On the fifth day:
When you install your Christmas lights make sure there is no exposed wiring near where you are working.
On the sixth day:
If you notice any damaged wiring, contact your local licensed electrician – don’t try to fix it yourself.
On the seventh day:
Many Christmas lights are designed specifically for indoor use and are not suitable for use outdoors.
On the eighth day:
If you want to put lights outside you must buy lights expressly produced for outdoor use (and you must turn them off if it is raining or overly windy).
On the ninth day:
Take a few minutes to explain electrical safety to children – so that they understand not to play with electrical items such as plug boards.
On the tenth day:
If you are using last year’s Christmas lights do check there are no exposed wires or damaged controllers, lamp holders or bulbs.
On the eleventh day:
Never modify or attempt to repair any lighting equipment yourself – always get an electrician to do the work.
On the twelfth day:
Get safety switches installed on all electrical circuits in your home – safety switches are an additional safety measure that can prevent electrocution.
