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Are your Christmas lights safe?
Christmas lights can really make a holiday merry and bright. But how can you make sure your lights are safe?
By Trust and Safety 31 January 2025
Don't let unsafe Christmas lights ruin your festivities this year
You don't want a fire, so check the lights you buy before you use them.
Worksafe NZ, experts in electrical safety, warn about unsafe decorative lights. These lights can cause fires and electric shocks because of poor design. Learn what to look for.
How to use fairy lights safely
Christmas lights are risky because of how we use them. We drape them around trees, furniture, and homes. Kids and pets are drawn to them, which increases the chances of accidents.
Most Christmas lights are safe, but some can cause fires or electric shocks.
When setting up your lights:
- Check the cord: Make sure the cord goes all the way down to the plug and the pins have insulation halfway up.
- Use a safety device: Connect the lights through a residual current device (RCD), also called a GFCI.
- Check old lights: Carefully examine old lights for broken sockets, frayed wires, or loose connections. Be extra careful with second-hand lights.
- Use the right bulbs: Only use replacement bulbs with the same voltage and wattage.
- Turn them off: Always switch off the lights before bed or when you leave them.
- Check for shocks: If you feel a tingle from the lights or anything they touch, get them checked by an electrician or throw them away. Turn them off immediately!
- Outdoor lights: Make sure outdoor lights are weatherproof and safe from fire hazards.
Tis’ the season to be jolly!
Worksafe recommends you only buy fairy lights with a standard New Zealand plug. Never use lights with foreign plugs or adapters.
Lights with foreign plugs or adapters aren't allowed on Trade Me. If you see any, report them to Community Watch.
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