If you're planning to decorate your home for that special occasion or at Christmas, follow these simple safety tips to help you and your family to be Always Safe.
- Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully before use.
- Ensure lights are suitable for their specific use, either indoor or outdoor. When purchasing festive lighting, look for an approval number starting with either Q, V, N, NSW, or S, followed by a five digit number or the regulatory compliance mark logo which indicates compliance with Australian Standards.
- Before use, inspect festive lighting for any damage or wear and tear.
- Use powerboards fitted with overload protection, not double adapters. Never piggyback plugs if installing multiple sets of festive lights.
- Turn off festive lighting when going out or to bed, when replacing light bulbs and when it's raining (for outdoor lights).
- Supervise children around festive or Christmas lights at all times.
- Pack and store festive lighting in accordance with manufacturers' instructions.
Lighting
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Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before use.
-
Look for an approval number starting with either Q, V, N, NSW or S, followed by a five digit number or the regulatory compliance mark logo, which indicates compliance with Australian Standards.
-
Inspect festive lighting before use for any damage, or wear and tear.
-
Use powerboards fitted with overload protection, not double adapters.
-
Never piggyback plugs if installing multiple sets of festive lights.
-
Turn off festive lighting when going out or to bed, when replacing light bulbs, and when it’s raining.
-
Supervise children around festive or Christmas lights at all times.
-
Pack and store festive lighting in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
Outdoor lighting
- Ensure all lights, extension leads and powerboards are specifically designed and approved for outdoor use.
- Check all outdoor connections are weatherproof and are suitable for their intended use.
- Don't pass electrical leads through doors and windows.
- Secure lights to minimise the risk of breakage in wind or storms.
- Use extra-low voltage equipment when attaching lights to fences, metalwork, roofs and downpipes.
- Avoid placing temporary festive lighting above or around your pool.
- Keep yourself and your lights well clear of overhead powerlines - at least 3m away.
- Wear non-slip footwear and safety equipment when climbing ladders and installing lights on the roof and other hard-to-reach places.
Extension cords
- Use only ready-made cords or have them made by a licensed electrical contractor.
- Do not use cords that have damaged insulation or exposed wires.
- Do not expose joins in extension cords to the weather.
- Cover extension cords that are lying across walkways and do not lay across driveways at any time.
- Ensure extension cords are fully unwound to avoid overheating.
