Can I leave Christmas tree lights on overnight?
2 min read · Published
UK fire safety guidance says switch Christmas tree lights off at night and when you go out. Here's why, plus how to check old lights and use a timer.
No. London Fire Brigade, the government and Electrical Safety First all give the same advice: switch Christmas lights off when you go to bed and when you leave the house.
- London Fire Brigade: “Don’t leave fairy lights on when you go to sleep, or pop out” (London Fire Brigade).
- GOV.UK: “Always switch Christmas lights off and unplug them before you go to bed” (GOV.UK).
- Electrical Safety First: “Unplug Christmas lights when you’re not there and overnight” (Electrical Safety First).
Why the advice is the same for LED lights
LED lights stay much cooler than old filament bulbs, and London Fire Brigade recommends them for that reason (London Fire Brigade). But bulb heat is only one risk. A damaged cable, a cheap transformer or an overloaded extension lead can fail whatever bulbs are on the string. In the US, 41% of home Christmas tree fires involve electrical or lighting equipment (NFPA).
At night nobody is awake to smell burning, which is why the advice covers every kind of light.
Check last year’s lights first
Electrical Safety First’s research found that one in eight people in the UK own Christmas lights in bad condition (Electrical Safety First). Before you put them on the tree, unplug them and look along the whole string for:
- loose or exposed wires
- cracked or blown bulbs
- a damaged plug or transformer
- scorch marks
London Fire Brigade says any of these mean it’s time for new lights (London Fire Brigade).
Buying new lights
- Buy from a reputable shop, and look for the CE or UKCA safety mark (London Fire Brigade).
- Check the manufacturer’s instructions for where the lights can be used. Never use indoor-only lights outside.
- Don’t overload sockets.
Use a timer
London Fire Brigade suggests a plug-in light timer if you think you’ll forget to switch off (London Fire Brigade). Set it to switch off before your usual bedtime.
Lights, pets and children
Vets Now warns that pets that chew light cables can get electric shocks or burns (Vets Now). Switching lights off at the wall when you go out protects them too. See Are real Christmas trees safe for cats and dogs?