As Victorians once again unbox their Christmas tree and untangle decorations, fire authorities are encouraging everyone to take steps to avoid Santa’s naughty list and stay safe this festive season.
Fire Rescue Victoria and CFA are urging Victorians to celebrate this festive season safely by checking Christmas lights before switching them on.
Damaged or faulty lights, combined with tinsel and plastic decorations can significantly increase the risk of fire in the home.
Last December, firefighters were called to a house fire in Glen Waverley after Christmas decorations sparked a blaze that destroyed a family of four’s home.
Father, George, was home with his two children when his smoke alarm went off alerting him to his Christmas tree on fire.
George tried to put the fire out himself but the blaze spread too quickly, leaving him only moments to flee with his daughters.
Incident Controller FRV Commander Julian Bisbal said it’s a stark reminder to check lights are in good working order before decorating trees and homes.
“Inspect lights for missing bulbs and frayed cords, and make sure you turn lights off when not in the room,” he said.
“It’s also an important reminder to never delay calling Triple Zero (000). When it comes to fire, minutes matter. The sooner you call Triple Zero (000), the sooner firefighters can help.”
The past financial year, FRV and CFA responded to numerous fires caused by Christmas decorations.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said it’s also important to not overload powerboards and to avoid using double adapters.
“Taking a few minutes to ensure everything is safe could save your home and those you love,” he said.
“Christmas should be a time for celebration and doing things like untangling cords, not running them under mats or rugs, and turning lights off before you go to sleep can ensure it stays a happy time and not a catastrophic one.”
See FRV and CFA’s safety list, and remember to check it twice:
Check Christmas lights meet Australian Safety Standards.
Inspect Christmas lights for damage and signs of wear and tear.
Don’t use light sets with exposed wiring or missing bulbs.
Never overload power boards, and avoid using double adaptors.
Untangle electrical cords and check they’re not under rugs or mats.
If decorating the outside of your home, choose lights and fittings for external use.
Check you have a safety switch in your meter box, or have a qualified electrician install one.
Place your tree as far as possible from any heat source, curtains or furnishings.
Maintain water in the base of natural Christmas trees to stop them drying out and remove lights once they show signs of drying.
Have working smoke alarms in all bedrooms, living areas and hallways.
