Brits are being warned to stay safe at Christmas after a survey revealed the shocking risks many are taking with their trees.
Research by consumer protection charity Electrical Safety First found that one in eight people who buy a real tree admit to covering it in hairspray to prevent the needles from falling off, despite it being highly flammable.
More than one in three confessed to decorating their Christmas tree with bauble tea-lights, exposing the tree to a naked flame.
Nineteen per cent of Londoners have lights with bulbs that do not work or are damaged – the highest of any city in the UK – and the lights are 3.55 years old on average.
Electrical Safety First has urged the public to buy safer artificial trees, rather than real ones.
The evergreen conifers are prone to drying out, yet more than half of Brits that have owned one do not regularly water their real Christmas tree.
Real trees can absorb up to a litre of water a day and the research – conducted with polling company Censuswide - suggests that millions of Brits may be putting themselves at risk by neglecting their trees.
The same research revealed that one in eight Brits that are planning to put Christmas lights on their real tree admit that they are in bad condition, while more than one in four described their lights as being tangled, risking frayed wires or damaged insulation.
Tips for an electrically safe Christmas
Always:
• check your Christmas lights are not damaged or broken before use and look out for loose wires
• use only replacement bulbs of the same type and rating as those originally supplied with the lights
• replace failed lamps immediately to prevent overheating
• switch your lights off and unplug them before you go to bed or go out
• keep lights away from flammable decorations and materials that can burn easily
Never:
• use lights outdoors unless they are specially designed for such use
• connect lights to the supply whilst still in the packaging
• remove or insert lamps while the chain is connected to the supply
• overload sockets - try to avoid the use of extension leads or adaptors
• use lights that are damaged or faulty
Some Brits planned on decorating their tree with lights up to 30 years old.
Around one in five of those who put lights on their tree admitted to leaving them on overnight when they go to bed or when they leave the house.
Analysis by Electrical Safety First shows that more house fires occurred in December last year than any other month.
Emma Drackford, Director of Communications at Electrical Safety First, said: “The worrying speed with which a real Christmas tree can burn makes it advisable that consumers consider break with tradition this year, as if your fake tree catches fire you’re likely to have considerably more time to get out.
“Whether your Christmas tree is real or fake, it’s vitally important that you ensure any lights on or around it are in good condition and plugged into sockets that aren’t overloaded.
Also, station your tree away from any heat sources such as radiators and never leave festive lights switched on when you leave the house or go to bed.”
