ACT Fire & Rescue (ACTF&R) is urging the Canberra community to take extra precaution when decorating homes this holiday season.
Chief Officer for ACTF&R, Matthew Mavity said electrical fire safety should be on the top of people’s to-do lists as they prepared to decorate their homes.
“Christmas lights are essentially an electrical appliance and should be treated with the same level of caution we would with other electrical appliances in the home,” Chief Officer Mavity said.
“Ensure you have checked Christmas lights and mains-powered decorations for any faults or frayed cords before plugging them in and if you have any concerns consult a qualified electrician,” he said.
“When decorating the outside of your home, ensure the decorations are rated for outdoor use to avoid any serious electrical issues associated with water.”
Chief Officer Mavity said most importantly, people should never overload power boards and remember to always switch off electrical displays and decorative lights before going to bed or leaving home.
He reminded people to take the time to prepare their home and household to ensure they were fire safe and emergency ready this holiday season.
“Create a fire escape plan, check your smoke alarms are working and have a fire blanket or extinguisher on standby,” Chief Officer Mavity said.
