Many Christmas decorations use electricity to make the yuletide season much more festive. Catchy tunes, amazing light patterns, cute motions - all of these are made possible thanks to innovations in technology.

However, there are still some hazards that you need to be aware of before you hang up those lights or decor willy-nilly. Here are some of the more important things you need to keep in mind:

Place decoration away from flammable objects

One of the first things you need to do when installing electrical Christmas decorations is to check the immediate area for anything that can catch fire. Curtains, cloth, flannel, paper, cardboard, untreated wood - place your decoration as far away from these items as possible. If that's not an option, then the least you can do is to make sure none of these things come into direct contact with the electrical components of the decoration.

Check if decoration is fit for outdoor use

A common mistake people make is automatically assuming that the Christmas decorations they bought is automatically fit for outdoor use. For example, the components of more fragile pieces could melt under the hot sun or short-circuit from early-morning dew. This is why it is of utmost importance that you check the label whether the item is capable of handling harsher environmental conditions. The last thing you want to do is to have your elegant centrepiece die on you simply because a tiny drop of water or a little molten plastic ruined its systems.

Check the voltage on the label

One of the worst things you can do is plunk down a hundred dollars on an electric knick-knack and have it blow up on you the very instant you plug it into your home's socket. This can (and often does) happen when you plug in a 220V device into a 240V outlet. While most devices sold in the Australian market are already adapted to fit 240V outlets, it pays to make sure by checking the label. If you do happen to have a 220V or even a 210V device on your hand, a simple transformer will prevent the device from shorting out on you when you're not looking. 

Use identical batteries

If you get smaller Christmas decorations that need only a set of batteries, make sure you use fresh batteries that came from the same package. This ensures that the energy obtained from the batteries is even, which in turn means the device using the power gets a steady stream of energy. Mixing old batteries with fresh ones could produce some very nasty consequences. At best your device will just not function. At worst you could see a short-circuit happen, especially when you mix rechargeable batteries with non-rechargeable ones.

Spread out connections to multiple outlets

An "octopus" connection of tangled electrical devices all drawing power from a single power outlet is a disaster waiting to happen. Not only do you raise the chances of a short-circuit occurring between the wires, but the heat of the criss-crossing wires could be enough to start a fire in your home or office. This is why you have to spread the electric load evenly between multiple outlets in order to minimize contact between wires and reduce the chances that heat would melt the insulating cover of these wires. In the same vein, it is also important to give multiple Christmas decorations ample space. This reduces the chances of a short happening while simultaneously reducing the overall heat generated by the electrical components of the decorations.

Check if components grow hot over time

Speaking of heat, it is essential that you double-check all the Christmas decorations for the amount of heat they generate over time. Some items will be simply warm to the touch and pose no threat at all of starting a fire, but other items - especially defective ones - have the potential to accumulate significantly more heat. If a piece gets hot to the point where it becomes uncomfortable to the touch, you either need to have it checked for errors or place it somewhere where it will pose no threat of starting a fire.       

Keep these simple tips in mind and you'll be able to install your electric Christmas decorations safely and without putting your family, your home and your family in danger!

 


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