‘Tis the season of festive decorations and as Canberrans begin lighting up the city, ACT Fire and Rescue are urging the community to take extra precautions this Christmas.

ACTF&R Chief Officer Matthew Mavity said Christmas lights should be treated with the same level of caution as any other electrical appliance within your home.

Preparation is key to avoiding a house fire and keeping safe in an emergency, so Mr Mavity recommends having a fire escape plan, ensuring your smoke alarms are functioning, and having a fire blanket or extinguisher handy.

“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. Most importantly, never overload your power boards, and remember to always switch off electrical displays and decorative lights before going to bed or leaving your home.”

Teaching your children to be fire safe is important for all parents, and the ACTF&R services have a range of educational videos and resources with Sparky the friendly dog on their website. For more information and tips on how you can Be Emergency Ready this season, visit www.esa.act.gov.au

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