Master Electricians Australia is offering detailed safety tips to prevent homeowners from experiencing electrical tragedy when installing Christmas lights in the lead up to the festive season.

MEA CEO Malcolm Richards has urged all Australian homeowners not to compromise on safety when lighting up their house ahead of Christmas.

“Households right across Australia will decorate their homes between now and Christmas and it is vital that homeowners remain alert to potential hazards that can occur from being careless around electrical equipment,” Mr Richards said.

“When purchasing electrical products this Christmas season, consumers should check to ensure that they are not on the Federal Government’s product safety recall website.

“Even products sold by reputable electrical retailers need to be recalled from time to time, so it is important that people ensure when buying their Christmas lights that they have not been deemed unsafe by regulators.

MEA is also reminding homeowners of the importance of safety switches in order to guarantee maximum safety.

“The only way for homeowners to remain truly safe is to ensure that safety switches are installed on all circuits that are powering Christmas lights,” Mr Richards said.

“Installing a safety switch to a switchboard is relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of elaborate Christmas lights, and this small financial cost is nothing compared to the huge emotional cost that comes with an electrical tragedy.

“If homeowners are looking at making extensive lighting decorations, then they should also consider enlisting the help of a Master Electrician to help install additional outdoor power points, rather than overloading existing circuits.

Mr Richards also suggested that home owners consider using solar-powered Christmas lights where possible.

“Solar-powered LED Christmas light are not only more environmentally friendly, but they will also help home owners cut down on their electricity bills during the festive season.

“LED lights will gain enough energy while being left out in the sun during the day and this will help prevent Australian homeowners from being whacked with a massive Christmas electrical bill.”

Master Electricians Australia’s full and detailed Christmas Safety Checklist can be found here.

Malcolm Richards is available for interview. Please phone SAS Group on 07 3221 9222 or 0467 792 013.