Where the tree goes
Place your tree as far as possible from any heat source, curtains or furnishings. A real tree is safest when it's fresh, so keep its stand topped up with water every day (see our care guide), and once it dries out, take it down. Never burn any part of a Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood heater.
Buy lights that meet Australian standards
- Look for the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM): a small black triangle with a tick inside a circle. It must be on plug-in Christmas lights and powered decorations, usually on the packaging, a tag near the plug, or the transformer.
- Be wary of buying lights online, especially from overseas sellers: they may not meet Australian standards and can cause fires or electric shocks.
- Have second-hand lights checked by a licensed electrician before you use them.
- Every electrical appliance sold since 2006 must have insulated pins on its plug. If your lights don't, they're more than 15 years old: replace them.
- Check old lights haven't been recalled, on the Product Safety Australia recalls website.
Check them before they go up
Test every set of lights before you put it up. Untangle last year's lights and check the plug, leads and lamp holders: no exposed wires, frayed cords, missing globes or other damage. Never use a damaged lead, and never alter or modify lights. Turn the power off when you're putting lights up or changing globes.
Power boards and leads
- Don't overload power boards: use no more than three sets of lights per board, even if it has four or more outlets.
- Use power boards with overload protection, and avoid double adaptors and piggy-backed plugs.
- Unwind extension leads completely so they don't overheat, and don't put cords under rugs or mats.
- Don't run leads over walkways or driveways, or through doors and windows where they can be damaged.
Switch off
Turn Christmas lights off when you go to bed or leave the house, so they can't overheat. With a real tree, switch off and unplug the lights before you water it. Battery-operated LED or solar lights don't need mains power at all.
Outdoor lights
Outside, only use lights and fittings made for outdoor use: they carry a weatherproof IP rating of at least IP23. Some need their transformer kept indoors. Secure them against wind, turn them off in bad weather, and keep them away from pools and wet areas. Floodlights and halogen lights get very hot, so keep them clear of anything that could catch fire. LED, solar and extra-low-voltage lights are the safest choice.
Rechargeable decorations
For decorations with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, buy from reputable suppliers, use the charging cord that came with them, and only charge them outdoors or in a room with a smoke alarm.
Smoke alarms and safety switches
Test your smoke alarms and your safety switch. You should have working smoke alarms in all bedrooms, living areas and hallways, ideally interconnected. If you don't have a safety switch in your meter box, have a qualified electrician install one, or use a portable safety switch.