How to avoid accidents with the electrical network in Christmas decorations

December is marked by lights and decorations Christmas and New Year, however, carelessness when installing electrical decorations can pose safety risks. In 2023 alone, 1.417 electrical accidents were recorded, resulting in 1.108 deaths.

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Of this total, 1.048 were due to electric shock, with 833 fatalities. In addition, 421 accidents were fires due to overload, causing 35 deaths, and 10 due to atmospheric discharges, with 9 deaths. The data is from abracopel (Brazilian Association for Awareness of the Dangers of Electricity).

Special attention must be paid to homes, which account for almost 50% of incidents and more than 80% of deaths.

Check out the recommendations to avoid accidents:

Installation and prevention

1. Check the facilities: Ensure that the property's electrical installations are in perfect condition. If necessary, hire a specialized electrician to check that they are properly sized to support the amount of energy required.
2. Certify the quality of the products: choose light decorations that have the INMETRO/PROCEL seal, and check information about power, voltage and instructions for use to avoid accidents.
3. Avoid using extensions/Benjamins/Ts: the use of these items must be discarded and the number of items connected to the same cable must be distributed to preserve the integrity of the cables and avoid overloading.
4. Check the damage: If you are reusing decorations from other years, it is essential to check the condition of the wire. If you find any damage, it is best to discard it to avoid shocks and short circuits.
5. Assembly: Lighting must be installed by people who are dry and wearing shoes. In addition, they must be turned off during assembly.
6. Avoid flammable decorations: Avoid using decorations made of paper or cotton. Choose trees that are labeled “fire resistant.” 
7. When shutting down: Never turn off electrical appliances by pulling on the cord or wiring. To unplug them from the socket, use the plug.
8. Do not make illegal connections: the popular “cats” put the lives of those who do it and those around them at risk.
9. Attention to children and animals: Do not allow children or animals to touch the Christmas decorations when they are on, as there is a risk of electric shock.

Care in external areas

1. Take extra care: exposed to the sun, rain and heat, the wiring becomes more vulnerable and the possible presence of water increases the risk of electric shock. 
2. Keep away from the network: Do not install lights near poles and wiring.

saving tips 

1. Turn off the lights: Avoid leaving lights on when you are not at home and before going to bed. A standard set of 100 micro-lamps with 50 W of power consumes 16,5 kWh/month if it is turned on for 11 hours a day. If this same set is turned on for 5 hours, consumption drops to 7,5 kWh/month.
2. Give preference to LED lamps: They are more efficient, brighter and have a longer lifespan. In addition, they are more economical and safer, as they heat up less and use less energy than conventional ones.
3. Conscious consumption: Consuming electricity prevents waste and reduces the cost of your electricity bill.

In the event of an accident, immediately turn off the home's circuit breaker and ask for help by calling SAMU (192) or the Fire Department (193).

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