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Fire safety is a top priority within our homes and as we head into the festive period, it’s important to be aware of the increased fire hazards around the home (you can check out our article on safety tips for the festive period here).
For those who celebrate the Christmas holidays, it’s time to put up your decorations! But first, we’re going to answer one of our most frequently asked questions: Can battery fairy lights catch fire?
The good news is that battery fairy lights don’t generally pose a fire threat when used properly! This is because they generate only a very low level of heat. In fact, battery operated fairy lights are one of the safest options when it comes to interior lighting for the festive period.
A fire hazard may present itself however, if wires get exposed and cross over, but even this poses a very low risk. The lights themselves are safe for indoor usage, however there are some other factors to be aware of which may increase the likelihood of a fire which involve battery fairy lights.
When purchasing battery fairy lights, it’s important to make sure that the lights conform to the British Standard BS EN 60598. This code is the common safety standard for lights and sets out the electrical safety and performance requirements of lighting, such as fairy lights. You can check that your lights are compliant by checking the packaging, informational leaflet that comes with your lights or the manufacturer’s website.
If you’ve owned your battery fairy lights for a little while, it’s also good practice to check for any wear and tear while decorating for the festivities. Look out for things like exposed wire or damaged bulbs and replace the lights if you spot signs of either. Wear and tear can be more likely in households with dogs or cats too – try to keep your pets away from battery powered lights.
Another tip for Christmas light fire prevention is making sure that your Christmas tree doesn’t dry out (if you have a real Christmas tree). Mist the tree regularly and check the water levels in the tree stand. Also, when selecting your Christmas tree, don’t buy one with needles falling off, as the likelihood is that the tree has probably dried out. The difference between a dry and watered tree catching fire is very shocking – take a look at this video to see for yourself.
So, we’ve established that battery operated fairy lights are generally very safe for indoor use. But how about other types of Christmas lights?
Older 240v mains fairy lights present the biggest fire hazard when it comes to Christmas lighting. A blown bulb can actually result in electrocution and bulbs can quickly overheat if the voltage increases. It’s very important to change blown bulbs as soon as soon as possible and this needs to be done when the power is off. On a similar note, avoid overloading plug sockets or extension leads, as this is where things can get dangerous and increase the likelihood of a fire.
LED lighting is another alternative to battery fairy lights, although the transformer can overheat, so make sure to place these on a non-flammable surface.
Using an RCD (residual current device) on outdoor lights is another smart step you can take to reduce fire risks. These switch off the power to your lights if there’s a fault to prevent escalation into a fire.
Solar options are great for outdoor lighting and are very safe, although not as effective on low-sunlight days of course!
To ensure the best fire safety within your home, make sure you have fitted working smoke alarms on every floor and make sure to test them regularly.
Following a fire, it is most important that the clean-up begins as soon as possible to minimise any lasting damage. Our fire and smoke damage cleaning team are available on a 24/7 call out for emergencies and we will work quickly and effectively to restore your home or business to get you back on your feet again as quickly as possible.
For further information about our services, please contact CPL t/a Rainbow Restoration on our freephone number 0800 030 4360.