Stay alert when installing Christmas lights

Tuesday, 5 December 2023

Ausgrid issues public safety warning after customer receives electric shock while installing Christmas lights on outdoor tree

Ausgrid is reminding customers to be aware of potential dangers when installing Christmas lights this festive season, following a shock incident in Charlestown.

A customer was installing Christmas lights on an outdoor tree when the lights were accidently thrown over active power lines, giving the person an electric shock.

Christmas lights caught on overhead powerlines.

Ausgrid Group Executive of Safety, Delivery and Operations, Sam Sofi, is urging all customers to follow some basic steps to make sure their Christmas lights are safe and are being installed safely.

“We’re thankful on this occasion the customer only received a minor electric shock that didn’t require medical attention, however any contact with electricity is putting your life at risk. We all enjoy putting Christmas lights up at this time of year, but there are no second chances with electricity. Physical contact, or even close proximity, to live electricity has the potential to cause serious injury or death,” Mr Sofi said.

“Our number one priority is the safety of the community and the last thing we want to see is anyone being injured or worse, so please never attach lights or decorations directly onto or close to any electrical equipment, including powerlines, power poles or the service wires which run between your property and the poles in the street.”

Ausgrid’s top Christmas safety tips:

• Closely inspect Christmas display power cords and bulbs before turning on the lights.
• Never attach lights or decorations to any electrical equipment, including power lines, power poles or the service wires running from the street poles to your home.
• Only use “outdoor display” lights outside and use tape, cable ties or clamps instead of nails to affix them into place.
• Check your smoke detectors are working and ensure you have a safety switch in your meter box.
• Unravel any coiled power cords to prevent them over-heating.
• Don’t overload power points or power boards by piggy-backing double adaptors.
• Turn off and unplug your outdoor Christmas lights when it rains, when you leave home and/or when heading to bed.

If you see an electrical hazard or receive an electric shock call Ausgrid immediately on 13 13 88. In a life-threatening situation call 000. 

For more information on Christmas light safety, visit our Christmas safety page.