Check Your Lights Before You Hang Them
Don’t be the person halfway up a ladder discovering half the lights don’t work.
Before they go up:
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Plug them in indoors
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Check for broken bulbs
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Look for cracks or exposed wiring
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Make sure plugs aren’t loose or scorched
If a set looks dodgy — bin it. Christmas is cheer, not electrical roulette.
Indoor vs Outdoor Lights — They Are NOT the Same
Lights designed for indoors cannot go outside — even if it’s “just for a few days.”
Outdoor lights should say:
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IP44 or higher (weather resistant)
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Suitable for external use
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Ideally LED (they stay cool + use less power)
If the box doesn’t say “Outdoor Use” — then indoors they stay.
No exceptions. Not even for the nice driveway arch idea you saw on Pinterest.
Avoid Overloading Plug Sockets
A classic Christmas classic:
“Sure we’ll just stick one more thing into that extension lead.”
Let’s not.
Most extension blocks can only handle 13 amps (about 3000 watts) total.
Add up:
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Tree lights
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Heated throw
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Lamp
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TV
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Christmas village that plays music and snows for some reason
And suddenly — boom — trip switch.
Tips:
Spread plugs across different sockets
Use extensions with surge protection
Don’t daisy-chain extension leads together (extension into extension into extension…)
If it looks like a festival control panel, it’s too much.
4. Keep Lights Away From Heat
Fairy lights + heat source = not festive.
Keep them clear of:
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Candles
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Fireplaces / stoves
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Heaters
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Curtains
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Soft furnishings
Modern LED lights stay cool — but the older bulb-style fairy lights can get very warm.
Outdoor Decorations: Do Them Right
If you’re hanging lights outside, think weather and secure fixing:
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Use proper outdoor-rated cable clips (not staples — staples can pierce wires!)
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Avoid running wires through windows that crush them — this can damage insulation
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Use weatherproof outdoor sockets or an RCD-protected extension designed for outside use
If you’re trailing cables out the window, across the garden, and down the driveway — there’s a better way.
We can install safe outdoor sockets in under an hour.
Turn Everything Off at Night
The tree doesn’t need to stay lit while everyone is asleep.
Neither do your outdoor lights.
A simple plug timer or smart plug takes the effort out:
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Saves electricity
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Longer bulb life
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Reduces fire risk
Set it and forget it — Christmas magic on autopilot.
When in Doubt — Ask
If you’re not sure about:
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Outdoor sockets
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Extra load on circuits
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Adding lights to gutters
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Running cables to sheds, fences, or trees
Just ask an electrician.
A quick check today can prevent an unwanted holiday surprise.
Christmas lights should bring joy — not stress, blown fuses, or surprise visits from the fire brigade.
A few quick safety checks go a long way.
If you’d like your outdoor electrics checked or need weatherproof sockets installed before decorating season kicks in — just send us a message.
We’ll make sure your house shines merry, bright, and safely