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It’s not surprising if you see one of these in the run-up to Christmas – houses or cabins with lots of Christmas lights. Photo: Cornelius Poppe / NTB
Many have decorated with outdoor lights this year. It can lead to an increased risk of fire if precautions are not taken, says the fire chief of the Vestfold Inter-Municipal Fire Brigade.
– Electricity from the wrong side can cause a hot run, which in the worst case can start a fire, says Per Olav Pettersen. He is a fire chief for the Vestfold Inter-Municipal Fire Department.
This year, more people have decorated their home with candles. Several stores report record sales.
But even though it may look good from the outside, Christmas lighting can increase the risk of fire if precautions are not taken.
– Outdoors, use only equipment manufactured for outdoor use. Check it has the CE mark and an IP rating, says Pettersen, who recommends LED lighting.
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– Switch to LED
They draw much less current, which in turn puts less pressure on the electrical system, contacts, connections, and wires that pertain to outdoor lighting.
Older Christmas lights, with half rotten or brittle wires, need to be replaced. If it is scorched or brown around a light bulb, the plastic has been exposed to high temperatures and product safety is impaired. Old incandescent bulbs for Christmas tree lighting can give off a lot of heat. Switch to LED, it’s your decision.
It further states that the wire for holiday lights should never pass through the door sill or through the window, where it can be pinched or damaged.
– Wear outdoor contact lenses and feel free to protect them from the rain. Turn off the holiday lights and unplug at night and when traveling.
– If people follow these tips and at the same time pay attention to the neighbors, we in the fire service want our residents to have a pleasant atmosphere before Christmas in the dark, says Pettersen.
