At this time of the year, you probably already have your house decorated for Christmas. Are you more like a tree or like Bethlehem? Is your style classic or modern? Do you like to decorate in a minimalist way, or, on the contrary, do you enjoy filling your house with decorations, lights, and colors, terrace included? Today I’m going to talk to you about lighting specifically.It is the great protagonist of the Christmas decoration, but it is necessary to know how to place it and take certain preventive measures to avoid electrical risks. Check if your installation is safe in the following article.
Every year, the same ritual is repeated. The starting date is usually December 8, the day of the Immaculate Conception. You take your Christmas tree or Bethlehem out of the storage room, along with the box containing the decorations and lights, and come on!Let’s get to work! to deploy creativity, as far as resources go.
As times change, so do Christmas lighting trends. This year, if you want to be trendy, place blue, silver, or gold lights on the tree. Of course, use LED garlands to save on your electricity bill and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Another trend is illuminated furniture for the gardens of the most avant-garde houses, where you can replace the traditional Christmas tree with a cone or a floor lamp in the shape of a fir tree.
Whether you are one of those who follow trends or if your style is more classic, there are a series of recommendations that you will have to follow to avoid electrical risks of shocks and burns when installing your Christmas lighting.
Things You Don’t Think About When You Install Christmas Lights
Claims caused by electrical damage are the ones that have grown the most in the last year in home insurance. What are the most common causes? Short circuits and voltage surges are caused by the age of the installation or its poor condition, together with excess hours of operation. In these cases, the insurance includes a complementary guarantee that covers material damage.
Do you know what risks you expose yourself to when you get on the ladder and start passing cables?
- Suffer an electric shock.
- burn yourself as a result.
- Lose your balance and fall. It seems silly, but it happens.
- In the most serious case, unintentionally starting a fire
Sometimes these incidents are caused by something as simple as not using common sense. Bare or poorly insulated cables, not using the connection plugs properly, not disconnecting electrical devices to repair them… With this, I do not want to discourage you from filling your home with light and decorations this Christmas, but rather help you do it safely.
7 Tips to set up your installation safely
First of all, make sure that the electrical installation in your home is in good condition. It is necessary to submit it to periodic reviews, and if you detect any anomalies, do not start repairing them yourself. Call a professional to check it out.
Having said this, here I present the measures that, yes or no, you should apply. And especially if there are children and pets in your house:
1. Move lights and cables away from heat sources, such as fireplaces, stoves, and heaters. The bulbs can overheat excessively and cause a fire.
2. The kitchen and bathroom present an additional risk to that of electricity: water. The danger, therefore, is much greater. Skip these zones when placing your lights.
3. Electrical surges must be avoided. Avoid using extension cords and electric shoes as much as possible. The recommendation is a maximum of three connections on the same socket. To know if a shoe is overloaded, all you have to do is touch it at its base; if you feel it too hot, it is a sign of danger. In that case, unplug items to lighten the load.
4.Make sure the cables are in good condition. that they are not twisted, peeled, or crushed by doors or windows. Do not pass them under carpets, curtains, or any other flammable surface, either. and, of course, hide them from areas accessible to children and pets.
5. When you are working on the placement and installation of Christmas lighting, disconnect the electrical network from your house. Do not trust.
6. It uses CE-approved materials that comply with safety regulations. Just by reading the instructions, you can verify it. Exterior lights must be suitably protected to withstand inclement weather.
7. And something fundamental: do not keep them on all day. Disconnect them when you go to sleep or when you leave the house. It is advisable not to have them running for more than 3 hours in a row. You can purchase a light programmer to facilitate this task. In addition to controlling the on and off time, it will also help you control spending.
Final Thought
Have you already verified that your installation is safe? Well, then I only have to wish you happy holidays. And remember that if you need advice on your home policy, you can contact me, and I will help you choose the best option.