TAKING a little extra time to pack and store your Christmas lights properly will reduce the risk of them being damaged.
With plenty of people packing away Christmas lights this weekend, an Energex spokesman says well stored lights have the best chance of being in good shape for next festive season.
Energex’s community safety manager Aaron Smith said packing and storing lights correctly greatly reduced the risk of them becoming damaged and in the long run saved the homeowner money.
“Christmas lights are quite sensitive appliances that can be easily damaged when they are being moved around,” he said.
“Their wiring can be cut and exposed and bulbs broken without you knowing presenting a hidden electrical safety hazard when you go to install them next Christmas.”
He said following simple tips could give your lights and other electrical decorations new life for next Christmas.
They included:
- Look for any damage on the lights when packing them up
- Use empty Christmas wrapping paper cardboard rolls to roll the lights around ready for storage
- Put lights in an airtight plastic storage box if they are kept in the shed otherwise being kept in a cardboard box inside the home is fine
- Store lights in a high and dry place to ensure they are not affected by moisture or rodents and make sure the storage area does not regularly get too hot
- Ensure children cannot get hold of them during the year.
Mr Smith said if there was a fault in Christmas lights they should either be repaired by a licenced electrical contractor or thrown away.