Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has released a dramatic video highlighting the potential dangers of Christmas decorations, revealing that festive lights and overloaded power boards can ignite into a full-blown fire in less than three minutes.
The video serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety during the holiday season, urging the public to take precautions to avoid holiday hazards.
Key Safety Recommendations
The safety guidelines outlined by FRNSW focus on preventing fire risks related to electrical decorations
The safety guidelines outlined by FRNSW focus on preventing fire risks related to electrical decorations and other common holiday practices.
They advise against overloading power boards, suggesting that each power socket should host only one plug without "piggybacking" double adaptors. The use of power boards equipped with overload and earth leakage protection devices is recommended for heightened safety.
FRNSW also emphasizes following manufacturers' instructions and using only decorative lights that carry an Australian Standards label. They suggest replacing any questionable lights and checking for faults, frayed cords, and worn plugs. Additional safety measures include keeping hot lights away from flammable materials and ensuring candles are not left unattended or within reach of children.
Precautionary Measures
Homeowners are encouraged to turn off all lighting displays before heading to bed and ensure that their homes are equipped with functioning smoke alarms that are regularly tested.
Having an established home escape plan in the event of a fire is also advised. For those with real pine Christmas trees, frequent watering is suggested to prevent drying and becoming a fire hazard.
Official Statements
Steph Cooke, Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience, emphasized the simplicity and life-saving potential of these safety measures. “Christmas is a time to celebrate with loved ones; however, it also comes with increased risk, especially around fire hazards in the home,” Cooke stated.
“Seeing how quickly a Christmas tree can go up in flames is a reminder of how suddenly an emergency can unfold, so please don’t be complacent. We want everyone to enjoy Christmas after what’s been a difficult year for communities across NSW.”
Commissioner Paul Baxter of FRNSW also urged the public to prioritize safety over the holiday season. “These simple steps will help keep you, your family, and loved ones out of harm,” Baxter emphasized. “Be aware and prepare for those ever-present dangers to ensure that the only surprise left for you under the tree this Christmas is from Santa.”
Confronting new video from Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) demonstrates just how quickly Christmas decorations can become fire hazards, with the potential to destroy a home faster than it takes to microwave your festive lunch leftovers.
The controlled demonstration video shows a power board arcing and igniting, due to an overload of household appliances and Christmas lights, before causing the entire room to explode in flames in less than three minutes.
FRNSW wants to prevent Christmas catastrophes and is urging people to prioritize safety as they decorate their homes.
Safety advice
The safety advice includes:
- Don’t overload power boards when setting up lights and other electrical displays. Only one item per power socket and don’t piggyback double adaptors;
- Use overload protected power boards for maximum safety, ensure it has both overload protection and earth leakage protection devices incorporated;
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions for use and only use decorative lights that have an Australian Standards label;
- If in doubt, replace the lights. Check lights and electronic decorations for faults, frayed cords and worn plugs;
- Keep hot lights away from children and flammable materials such as wrapping paper, decorations or curtains and don’t leave burning candles unattended;
- Keep candles in a safe position away from Christmas trees or other flammable material and out of reach of children. Extinguish them if you leave the room and always before going to bed;
- Switch off all electrical displays and decorative lights before going to bed;
- Ensure your home is fitted with working smoke alarms that are tested regularly and are supported by a written home escape plan in case of fire; and
- Water real pine Christmas trees to prevent them drying out and becoming a combustible item.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said FRNSW’s advice simple to implement and can save lives.
“Christmas is a time to celebrate with loved ones however it also comes with increased risk, especially around fire hazards in the home,” Ms Cooke said.
“Seeing how quickly a Christmas tree can go up in flames is a reminder of how suddenly an emergency can unfold, so please don’t be complacent. We want everyone to enjoy Christmas after what’s been a difficult year for communities across NSW.”
Ever-present dangers
FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter said don’t risk it this Christmas, he wants everyone to enjoy a safe and happy festive season.
“These simple steps will help keep you, your family and loved ones out of harm,” Commissioner Baxter said.
“Be aware and prepare for those ever-present dangers to ensure that the only surprise left for you under the tree this Christmas is from Santa.”
