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As we enter the first week of December ACT Fire & Rescue (ACTF&R) are urging the Canberra community to take extra precaution when decorating their homes.
As Canberrans prepare to decorate their homes in lights and decorations ACTF&R remind the community that electrical fire safety should be on the top of their to-do list.
ACTF&R Chief Officer Matthew Mavity said Christmas lights are essentially an electrical appliance and should be treated with the same level of caution we would with other electrical appliances in the home.
“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,” continued Chief Officer Mavity.
“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.”
Take the time to prepare your home and household to ensure you are fire safe and emergency ready this holiday season. Create a fire escape plan, check your smoke alarms are working, and have a fire blanket or extinguisher on standby.
To help your children be fire safe too, Sparky the dog has a great range of educational videos and printable resources on the ACT Emergency Services Agency 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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