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Christmas

Learn how to install Christmas decorations safely and efficiently.

With the arrival of the end of the year and the approach of Christmas, façades, shop windows and living rooms begin to receive lights, garlands and the traditional flashing lights as decoration. With people's safety in mind and ways to prevent accidents, Neoenergia has selected some guidelines involving the conscious use of Christmas decoration elements, so that the celebration of the holidays is accompanied only by good experiences.

Christmas decorations

When buying

  • The packaging of the flashing lights should contain information on power, voltage and instructions for use. This will ensure greater product reliability.
  • Give preference to LED bulbs, which are safer and more efficient as they heat up less and use less energy than conventional bulbs.

Safe installation

  • Lighting should be installed by people with dry hands and suitable footwear;
  • Unplug the flasher before installing, adjusting or replacing anything;
  • It is also common for people to reuse the flasher from one year to the next. In this case, it is essential to check the condition of the wire. Don't reuse damaged sets. Broken, dried-out or poorly connected wires should be discarded to avoid shocks and short circuits;
  • Keep lights away from decorations made of paper, cotton, wool, straw or other flammable materials, as they can easily catch fire in the event of a short circuit.
  • Use fire-resistant trees.

The guidelines also extend to the outdoors. You have to be very careful when installing lights outside your home, as the decorations will suffer from the weather, drying out the wiring. These materials should be for "outdoor use", i.e. they will mitigate the chances of a shock or short-circuit of more serious proportions.

Extra care

  • Have your home's electrical network checked by a professional before installing the decoration.
  • Give preference to the use of line filters. Avoid "T" plugs.
  • Keep cables away from metal, curtains and carpets.
  • Always disconnect appliances by the plug, never by pulling the cord.
  • Payextra attention to children and animals near connected decoration.
  • In outdoor areas, install and remove decorations with the circuit breaker switched off.
  • Never place lights near lampposts, wiring or Neoenergia meters.
  • Clandestine connections ("gatos") are dangerous, illegal and can cause severe accidents and damage to the electricity network.

In the event of an accident, the first step is to turn off the power circuit breaker in the house. Then check on the victim. If necessary, call the emergency service - SAMU (192), especially in situations involving children and the elderly. If necessary, call the local energy distributor.

Saving tips

  • Keep an eye on the electricity consumption of Christmas decorations and avoid leaving lights on during the day, when leaving the house or after going to bed;
  • Pay attention to the power of the products: a set of 100 50W micro-lamps switched on for 11 hours a day consumes around 16.5 kWh/month. Reducing this to 5 hours drops consumption to around 7.5 kWh/month;
  • Give preference to LED bulbs, which are more efficient, brighter and last longer than conventional bulbs. Conscientious use of electricity avoids waste and reduces the amount of your electricity bill.
  • Organize supper: planning supper and using the fridge efficiently, avoiding opening and closing the door repeatedly, also contributes to savings.


With simple measures, you can guarantee a bright, safe and economical Christmas for the whole family.