Don’t let the festive season spark a fire

• Overheating and faulty wiring: string lights can overheat if wires are damaged, bulbs are broken, or the set is cheap quality.
• Overloaded sockets: plugging too many light strands into a single outlet can overload your circuit, increasing fire risk.
• Flammable surroundings: lights in contact with paper decorations, dry tree needles, fabric, or curtains are dangerous.
• Unattended lights: leaving lights on while you sleep or go out can lead to serious heat buildup.
• Real tree dangers: a dry Christmas tree is highly flammable, keeping it well watered makes a big difference.
• Battery-powered devices: from toys to e-bikes, many gifts contain lithium-ion batteries, and misuse or damage to these can cause fires.

• Inspect before use – Check every string of lights before hanging them up. Look for frayed wires, loose connections or cracked/broken bulbs. Replace any suspect sets rather than risk a fault.
• Buy certified lights – Choose lights that carry recognised safety marks (e.g. CE) and buy from reputable retailers. Cheaper, uncertified lights may lack safety features.
• Keep lights away from flammable materials- Make sure lights don’t rest on or near curtains, paper decorations, dry tree branches, or fabric. Even low-wattage lights can scorch or ignite these materials.
• Turn off lights when not home or at night – Unplug decorations before you leave the house or go to bed, this removes the risk of heat build-up and potential fire.
• Avoid overloading sockets – Use power strips with built-in overload protection if needed, and don’t daisy-chain too many light sets into one socket.
• Use the correct replacement bulbs – If a bulb fails, replace it with one that matches the set’s specification (correct voltage and type) to avoid overheating.
• Water real Christmas trees regularly – A well-watered tree is far less likely to catch fire. Check the water level daily and top up as needed.

Much like lights, devices powered by lithium-ion batteries present their own fire risks, especially when not handled properly. Failure to charge, damage, or poor-quality chargers can lead to serious incidents.

• Register your devices: where possible, register lithium battery devices with their manufacturers so you receive any safety alerts or recalls.
• Use the correct charger: always use the charger that came with your device. If you need a replacement, buy a genuine one from a trusted retailer.
• Don’t leave devices charging unattended: avoid charging overnight or when you’re out, thermal runaway (a rapid, uncontrolled increase in temperature) can occur.
• Choose a safe charging location: charge on a hard, non-flammable surface, not on a bed, sofa, or other soft, heat-retaining surface.
• Don’t use damaged batteries: if a battery looks swollen, deformed, or has been physically damaged, stop using it and dispose of it safely.
• Dispose of batteries correctly: don’t throw lithium-ion batteries in household waste. Take them to designated e-waste or battery recycling points.