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Christmas

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Original poster

Do you leave your chistmas tree lights on when out or in bed?

54 replies

Carryonconception · 13/12/2014 12:41

My first thoughts were turn them off. Don't want to waste electricity or have a fire risk. On other hand don't want burglars to know when we are out and it is so nice to come home in dark and see it twinkling in window.

What do you do? It's a long string of plug in led lights

OP posts:
NoraRobertsismyguiltypleasure · 13/12/2014 17:57

Just out of curiosity is the risk the same for fake and real trees?

BadtzMaru · 13/12/2014 18:55

I switch mine off at the plug socket but don't pull the plug out, is that really necessary? I have to use the broom handle to flick the switch on and off as it is without getting a tree branch in the eye, having to crawl under the tree to put the plug in and out multiple times a day would be a massive pain in the arse.

MyIronLung · 13/12/2014 20:39

Off and unplugged.

ilovepowerhoop · 13/12/2014 20:46

our christmas lights in the living room are plugged into a power down socket so will be on when the tv is switched on and will go off when the tv is switched off. The lights in the other room are plugged into a timer switch so will go on/off at set times (they are off overnight)

youbethemummylion · 13/12/2014 20:46

Off but still plugged in as we have a plug in timer for turning on/off as cant reach the socket.
I've heard conflicting advice (second hand) from firemen re leaving appliances on apparently one said to turn the tumble drier on before going to work as he would rather the house went up in flames when no one was there as opposed to when people are in. Which has always seemed odd advice to me.

Whooshtheyweregone · 13/12/2014 20:49

I turn them off. I have friends in the US who use real candles on their Christmas tree which I find terrifying!

wigglesrock · 13/12/2014 21:05

Off unfortunately I have the same sad experience as Dionne.

Beehatch · 13/12/2014 21:11

Always switch ours off.

However this year we have acquired a new set of battery-operated ones. Do they carry the same fire risk? We will turn them off at night/when out anyway to save battery, but wondered if they were any safer?

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 13/12/2014 21:49

I leave on battery ones (wreath on the front door, battery lit garland and flameless candles) to look like we're in. Electric lights off at night/when we're out.

And I don't keep lights more than 2-3 years. The wires getting tangled and coiled up isn't good for them.

CiderwithBuda · 13/12/2014 22:07

Off. My cousins's house burnt down one year on xmas morning from xmas tree lights being on for a couple of hours. Her DH switched them on around 4 going to bed after he got in from work. They were woken by th dogs barking. Thankfully they got out safely.

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 13/12/2014 22:19

Whoever asked about washing machines, yes I had the fire dept out to inspect my house through some scheme where they'll do this if you have a newborn (they checked my smoke alarms as well). They said that washing machines is what they get called out for the most for domestic fires.

Don't put it on when you're out and certainly not when asleep!

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 13/12/2014 22:34

without sounding silly, how can fairy lights cause a fire?the plug the wires?

the bulbs heating up?

mathanxiety · 13/12/2014 23:28

I turn mine off and unplug them except on Christmas Eve, when they stay on all night.

My cat climbs into the tree and loves chewing cords.

bryonyelf · 14/12/2014 08:53

Off but then I turn everything off bar the fridge freezer when we go out. Thankfully a 2 bed cottage!

treaclesoda · 14/12/2014 08:57

Always turn them off. I hate saying this because I realise that it comes across as so snotty on mumsnet but I thought everyone did. Turn off all lights and electrical stuff before going out or going to bed?

treaclesoda · 14/12/2014 09:00

That should say I always turn them off. I wasn't barking an order. Although...

SusannahD · 14/12/2014 09:08

Off, it's a fire risk.

vinoandbrie · 14/12/2014 09:12

Off and unplugged.

Oldraver · 14/12/2014 12:42

I turn them off.

Last night I sent OH out to get some more lights as there was a big gap in one set on my tree.. When he got back I realised the new ones were a very different light (much brighter) so off he went to get some more while I took the other sets off the tree. Thats when I noticed the transformer had broken open and it definitely 'smelt'.

Even OH said he thought he could smell burning when he came in

Oldraver · 14/12/2014 12:46

I've also stopped using a timer...I had read they casue lots of fires and my fireman neighbour wont use them

lucysmam · 14/12/2014 16:46

Off & unplugged. in fact, I forgot to turn them on this evening.

feesh · 14/12/2014 16:49

I leave mine on! Lone voice!

ilovesprouts · 14/12/2014 17:00

I have lights in my window they are timed to come on for six hours then they go off for 18 hours but I can turn them off manually too.

HopeAndChristmasStories · 14/12/2014 20:01

Off.

Arrowfanatic · 15/12/2014 20:49

Off always off. Even when I just nip out for 15 minutes for the school run.

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