Those of you with real Xmas trees - please be careful

[ABudafulSightWereHappyTonight]

My cousin's house burned down on Xmas morning. Her DH was up at around 4 and put the lights on so that it would look Christmassy when they got up and only a couple of hours later the whole house went up. They got out OK - just about - lots of smoke inhalation and her DH was cut very badly and thankfully her DCs were at their Dad's house.

Now that lots of trees will be really dry please don't leave lights on in the room if you are not in there. It takes just seconds for the tree to ignite.

That's an awful thing to happen - especially on Christmas. Glad no-one was seriously hurt.

Have to say I would never be keen to leave Christmas lights on (or lots of other electrical equipment) when in bed; while these kind of things dont happen as much as they used to you can never be too careful.

Oh dear poor them.
Will be taking my tree down soon, but good advice.

I think that also says that a lot of care is needed over lights - that they are doubly insulated, with the correct fuse. Have been with school electrician when hes been testing lights lent by parents for school grotto and lots were rejected for being unsafe - even brand new ones as they werent doubly insulated.

Its actually quite a good way to get your lights tested - to lend them to the school for christmas decs as they all have to be tested