Ausgrid is urging residents to take some safety precautions, this festive season, when it comes to installing lights around the house.
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“For most of us, our lights have been packed away in storage for the past year, so it’s important to check the cords and bulbs thoroughly for any damage before plugging them in,” Ausgrid Chief Operating Officer Trevor Armstrong said.
“You need to look closely for things like frayed cords and broken bulbs and always turn the power off before replacing any bulbs.”
Mr Armstrong said that, if ladders were to be used when installing any displays, it was essential to ensure it was placed on flat stable ground while staying below the second-last rung.
“Never attach lights or decorations directly to or close to the service wires between your property and power poles in your street as these wires are carrying live electricity,” he added.
When it comes to decorating Christmas trees Mr Armstrong also has some simple tips such as keeping cords, power boards and adaptors away from children.
“Put your lights on the tree first and then the other decorations and make sure tinsel and other metallic ornaments aren’t touching the lights or any power boards or sockets as this can create a hazard, ” he said.
The dos and don’ts of Christmas decorating:
Do
- Plan your display. Take note of overhead powerlines and stay well away.
- Only use lights specifically designed for outdoor use and read manufacturer’s installation instructions
- Inspect cords, bulbs and plugs for signs of wear or damage.
- Fully unroll extension cords to keep them from overheating
- Attach lights to your home using tape, cable ties or clamps. Never use nails.
- Switch off and unplug your lights when it rains, before leaving home or going to bed.
Don’t
– Use cords, bulbs or plugs is they show signs of wear or damage.
- Run lights on or near the service line, over swimming pools or ponds.
- Expose joins in extension cords to the weather or join more than one extension cord together.
- Use lights intended for indoor use in your outdoor display
- Overcrowd power points or use multiple double adaptors.
- Run extention cords across driveways or paths.
