Christmas trees are, of course, a fire hazard, but the biggest cause of home fires, by far, is cooking. Another culprit? Candles – which many of us are more likely to burn during the festive season.
Safety tips: Never leave stovetop items unattended, and don’t allow candles to burn in an empty room. When you do light candles, keep them far from the tree and other flammable items, such as wrapping paper. Be wary of buying Christmas lights online, especially from overseas, to ensure they meet local compliancy ratings.
Check your Christmas lights have insulated pins. Electrical appliances, including Christmas lights sold after 2006 must have insulated pins. If it does not have insulated pins then the Christmas lights do not meet the latest safety requirements. Test your lights before using them and throw out any sets with cracked bulb sockets or damaged wires.
Many Christmas lights manufactured today are intended for both indoor and outdoor use, but you may come across some that are location-specific. Indoor lights aren’t as resistant to moisture, which may cause electrical shorts and damage in wet weather, so be sure to check first.