There is a lot to love about a Sydney street lit up in December. But outdoor Christmas lights also sit in rain, heat and humidity for weeks, often plugged into leads and power boards that were never meant for it. Good outdoor Christmas lights safety starts before anything goes up.
At Olympic Electrical, our family owned team works on homes across Sydney from our base in Beecroft. Here are the Christmas lights safety tips worth checking first.
1. Make Sure the Lights Are Rated for Outdoor Use
Indoor lights are not built for moisture, and using them outside, even on a covered veranda, is unsafe. Only use weatherproof outdoor lights.
Check the packaging or the tag near the plug for:
- An IP rating. For outdoor lights, look for at least IP23. A higher number means better protection against water and dust.
- The RCM mark or an approval number, which shows the product meets Australian electrical safety requirements.
Be careful with cheap lights bought online from overseas sellers. They may not meet Australian standards at all.
2. Inspect Last Year’s Lights Before Reusing Them
Lights that spent a year in a box can come out damaged. Check each set for:
- Cracked, brittle or melted insulation
- Exposed wires near the plug or between bulbs
- Broken or missing bulbs
- Loose connections or a damaged transformer
If any part looks damaged, throw the set out. A quick test indoors on a dry surface before installing them will also save you climbing a ladder twice.
3. Check Your Safety Switch
A safety switch (RCD) cuts the power in a fraction of a second if it detects a fault, which makes it central to electrical safety at Christmas.
Before decorating, press the test button on your safety switch at the switchboard. The power to that circuit should cut out straight away. If it does not trip, or your switchboard has no safety switches at all, use a portable RCD for now and book a licensed electrician. Our safety switch installation service adds proper RCD protection to the circuits your outdoor power points run on.
What to Check Before Installing Outdoor Festive Lights
4. Use the Right Power Points, Leads and Boards
How your lights connect matters as much as the lights, and it is where most outdoor electrical safety problems start.
- Plug into weatherproof outdoor power points with covers that close properly. If you do not have one where you need it, that is a job for an electrician, not a long lead through the window.
- Use outdoor-rated extension leads and unwind them fully so they do not overheat.
- Keep connections off the ground and away from pooling water, sprinklers and pool areas.
- Use power boards with overload protection, and never piggyback double adaptors.
- Never run leads under doors or through windows, where they can be crushed or cut.
5. Plan How You Will Hang Them
Hanging the lights carries its own risks.
- Use plastic clips, not nails, staples or metal hooks, which can pierce the insulation.
- Keep lights away from metal gutters and roofs where damaged cables could make the surface live.
- Stay well clear of overhead powerlines, including the service line running to your house.
- Use a stable ladder and have someone hold it. Avoid working on the roof in heat, wind or wet weather.
- Do not overload a single strand by connecting more sets together than the manufacturer allows.
6. Think About Sydney Summer Weather
December in Sydney brings hot days and sudden storms, so outdoor festive lighting safety means planning for both.
- Switch lights off during storms and heavy rain
- Use a timer so lights are not running all night or while you are away
- Check connections after a storm before switching back on
If your safety switch trips after rain, leave the lights off until the problem is found. Resetting it repeatedly will not fix the fault.
7. Know When to Call an Electrician
Plug-in Christmas lights are fine for DIY, but some jobs need a licensed electrician:
- Adding new outdoor power points for your display
- Installing permanent or hardwired festive lighting on eaves or gardens
- A safety switch that will not reset or keeps tripping
- Burning smells, scorch marks or warm power points
Our licensed and insured team offers same day service, fixed upfront pricing agreed before work starts and a lifetime labour guarantee.
Light Up Safely This Christmas
A safe festive display starts with the right lights, the right connections and a working safety switch. If you need new outdoor power points, safety switch testing or help with outdoor Christmas lights installation, contact Olympic Electrical to book an outdoor lighting electrician in Sydney before the holiday rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use indoor Christmas lights outside?
No. Indoor lights are not built to handle moisture and are unsafe outdoors, even on a covered veranda. Use lights clearly marked for outdoor use.
What IP rating do outdoor Christmas lights need?
Look for at least IP23. Higher ratings give better protection against water and dust.
Do outdoor Christmas lights need a safety switch?
They should always be protected by a working safety switch. If your switchboard does not have one, use a portable RCD and have an electrician install proper protection.
Should I leave my Christmas lights on overnight?
It is safer to use a timer and switch them off overnight, when you are away and during storms.
