7 Most Important Energy Safety Tips For Christmas

‘Tis the season to be jolly, but let’s also be sure we celebrate the holidays safely. All the festivities come with bright lights, food, and entertainment – all of them require immense power.

With the celebrations and energy consumption dialed all the way up, the risk of electric-related accidents leading to fires also increases. So, while holiday cheer is way on top of our Christmas lists, safety should also be up there.

Here’s a list of do’s and don’ts to ensure that you celebrate Christmas safely and with peace of mind.

1. Choose The Right Christmas Lights

Everything’s a little brighter during the Christmas season so it’s important to make sure that the lights we use are safe. When buying Christmas lights, check if they have the right seals of certification: the Philippine Standard (PS) Certification Mark License and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certificate.

These seals and stickers are proof that the lights went through the proper quality checks, ensuring that they are compliant with government safety standards. LED lights are also a safer option, since they are less prone to overheating.

Another important thing you should not overlook: not all Christmas lights are safe for outdoor use. If you’re going to decorate your garden or any outdoor space, make sure you only use lights that are specifically labeled to be safe for outdoors.

2. Quality-Check Your Used Christmas Lights

Don’t have the budget for a new set of Christmas lights? It’s perfectly fine to use last year’s lights but make sure you carefully check them before putting them up.

If you see frayed cords or wires or faulty plugs, then you should either have them repaired or move on from them entirely. You don’t have to hold on to them if it means risking your family’s safety.

If you want them to last, you have to keep them properly stored throughout the year. Christmas lights can be used for multiple years when taken care of: up to six years for incandescent lights and up to 10 years for LED lights. Just make sure you keep them safe from water and pests for the rest of the year.

3. Don’t Leave Them On For Too Long

As captivating as they are, Christmas lights should not be left on for the whole night. It’s safer and better for the durability of your lights to turn them off before you go to bed.

You can also use smart plugs so that your lights can just turn on and off automatically according to your preferred schedule. There are also solar-powered Christmas lights that are now available, which are able to charge via sunlight during the daytime, and then light up during the night without being plugged into any power outlet.

4. Don’t Overload Extension Cords

The more Christmas lights we use, the more power outlets we need. While extension cords are clearly the solution, we must be careful not to plug everything into a single extension.

When overloaded, an extension cord could overheat and possibly cause a fire. It’s better to use several extension cords plugged to different power outlets so that the power distribution is more even.

If you’re using incandescent lights, make sure you don’t plug more than three strings of them together because this could also lead to overloading.

5. Hide And Secure Your Wires

No matter how grand and elaborate your Christmas light setup is, all your wirings should be neat and clean. Keep them hidden under your Christmas tree and away from the usual foot traffic at your home so that no one can trip over them.

They should also be inaccessible to pets or little children. Leaving them exposed and vulnerable to damage and tampering can be harmful, especially to your kids and fur babies.

6. Unplug Everything While You’re Away

Excited about your holiday getaway? Don’t forget to unplug all of your Christmas lights and unused appliances before heading out. 

It’s not enough that everything’s turned off for days or weeks while your house is empty. If you want to be sure that you’re safe from any possible mishaps, it’s better for everything to be disconnected from any electrical connection.

7. Keep Your Kitchen Safe

For those who love whipping up a feast for their loved ones, the kitchen instantly becomes the busiest part of the house during the Christmas season. When the kitchen is in full blast, almost every appliance in the vicinity comes alive – ovens, stoves, blenders, food processors, air fryers, microwaves, and the like. 

Don’t just plug them to a single power socket or extension cord so you can avoid overloading. It’s also important to keep flammables like kitchen towels, paper bags, and plastic wrappers away from your cooking area.

When everything’s finally done and served, always remember to turn everything off. By making safety a priority, you can enjoy the festivities with peace of mind.