With Christmas here before we know it, it’s essential to ensure we are all safe over the festive period. The increasing requirements we put on our electrical installations goes up each year with more and more festive lights, gadgets and appliances.

With all the craziness of the busy holiday season, it can be easy to forget that decorations, lights, trees and even wrapped gifts can become hazardous which could result in electric shock, electrical fires and burns/injuries. However, these hazards can be easily prevented. With the following tips, you’ll be sure to have a safe and pleasant Christmas holiday!

• Have you got an Residual Current Device (RCD) on your fuse board? (An RCD looks a bit like a circuit breaker (MCB) apart from its a little bigger and will have a TEST button)
• Are your sockets, switches and light fittings free from damage?
• Are your main gas and water pipes bonded? (To check this go and look near your water stop tap and your gas meter and there should be a green and yellow cable attached)
• Make sure to keep all your cords in an open, dry location. This will prevent any damage to the cords and can prevent fires and other electrical hazards.
• Avoid overloading extension cords and regularly inspect them for damage.
• Ensure your lights are approved for where you’re putting them. For example, you should not decorate the outside of your house with indoor lights. Before you go to bed, make sure that you turn off all lights to prevent a fire hazard. At the end of the holiday season, put your lights and decorations away in a manner that will not damage bulbs or wiring.
• Keep your tree healthy and fresh by watering every day. Doing this will prevent your tree from becoming dry, which is a fire hazard.
• Check your smoke alarm batteries. This very simple task could potentially save your life.

Happy Holidays from PC Electricals!

If you are unsure about an installation, need advice or assistance please contact PC Electricals. We also have more electrical safety tips on our website www.pcelectricals-dorset.co.uk Facebook or Twitter pages.