Twinkle, twinkle, safely under the stars at Christmas

It’s a classic sign the winter holidays are on their way – but homeowners are being advised to make sure their outdoor Christmas lights are safe this winter by the […]

It’s a classic sign the winter holidays are on their way – but homeowners are being advised to make sure their outdoor Christmas lights are safe this winter by the electricity network operator across London, the South East and the East of England.

Some of the top tips include avoiding putting up illuminations near power lines, not overloading plug sockets and using a residual current device at the socket where lights are connected, to give safety protection in case of a fault.

Nick Rogers, Head of Health and Safety at UK Power Networks said: “Keep an eye out for any power lines which come into your home as you might not notice how close they are when you’re working at height. Electricity can jump gaps so, before starting work, look up and keep well away from any overhead wires. Power lines regularly get mistaken for phone lines so keep away from them if you’re not sure.”

He added: “If you’re using a ladder to hang the lights make sure it is stable and won’t get close to any overhead lines when carrying or positioning it. Any objects which come close to overhead electricity lines can cause a flashover which could injure or even kill, even at the domestic voltage.”

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