Christmas Electrical Safety Tips for a Merry (and Safe!) Holiday

Happy holidays from Jim’s Test & Tag NZ! Our gift to you this season is the gift of electrical safety. While Christmas lights, decorations, and electrical gadgets add to the holiday magic, they also bring potential safety risks. Here at Jim’s Test & Tag, we want to help you enjoy a worry-free holiday, so we’ve put together some essential Christmas electrical safety tips.

Take a few moments to follow these guidelines and keep your space safe and sparkling this Christmas.

Christmas Light Safety Decorating with Christmas lights can make your space feel magical, but it’s crucial to handle them carefully. Here are some key tips for keeping your lights safe and your spirits high:

• If you’re using old Christmas lights, ensure they are tested and tagged before use. Check the government product recalls online to confirm they haven’t been part of a product recall.
• When putting up your lights, make sure the power is off. The same rule applies if you’re changing a bulb.
• Only use indoor lights inside and outdoor lights outside.
• Ensure your residual current device (RCD) has been tested before you plug in any lights.
• Get your smoke alarms tested in case of a Christmas light-related fire.

Extension Cords & Power Boards With extra lights and decorations in use, it’s easy to overload your circuits. Following these extension cord and power board tips can keep everything running safely:

• Don’t use double adaptors.
• Don’t plug high-wattage appliances into power boards (e.g., fans). It’s much safer to plug them directly into the wall.
• Buy power boards with overload protection.
• Regularly check your equipment for signs of damage.
• Regularly clean your equipment.
• Ensure extension leads are out of the way to avoid tripping.
• Do not place extension leads under rugs or carpet to avoid overheating.

Product Recalls Are you running a Secret Santa in your office this year? If you’re buying electronics, make sure you check out the latest product recalls and avoid dangerous gift-giving.

This is one of the easiest safe Christmas tips to follow. Just visit the Product Safety New Zealand website and browse through the latest recalls. If you want to search for a specific product, you can – or if you want to search for a specific hazard (like an electrical shock), you can do that too.

Testing Portable Appliances From speakers blasting Christmas carols to cooking equipment for the office party, portable appliances make the season more enjoyable. However, these items also require care and attention:

• Regular testing can help you avoid potential electrical hazards, ensuring that everything from your party speakers to kitchen appliances is safe to use.
• Make a visit from Jim’s Test & Tag part of your workplace’s Christmas routine to ensure all portable appliances are ready for the season.

Christmas Tree Safety Nothing completes the Christmas look like a beautifully decorated tree, but it’s essential to keep fire safety in mind. Here are some tips to keep your tree safe and reduce fire risks:

• Never leave the lights on if the building is empty.
• If you’re buying a tree, look for one with a fire-safe rating.
• If you have a real tree, water it regularly to reduce its flammability.
• Spray your tree with fire retardant to add an extra layer of protection to your tree.
• Keep your tree away from power points or electrical equipment to minimise fire risks.

Wishing You a Safe and Festive Holiday Season

As the holidays approach, we at Jim’s Test & Tag would like to thank our amazing franchisees, clients, and their families for a wonderful year. We hope these Christmas electrical safety tips help you enjoy a safe, cheerful, and bright holiday season.

For added peace of mind, make a safety check part of your holiday routine. Get in touch with Jim’s Test & Tag to schedule electrical testing and tagging services, ensuring all your equipment is ready for the festivities. Stay safe, enjoy your celebrations, and have a Merry Christmas from all of us at Jim’s Test & Tag!