- In December 2024, the company recorded 47 alerts linked to accidents involving Christmas decorations or party supplies, reflecting an 11% drop from the previous year. The aim is to reach a zero-incident rate, emphasizing the importance of self-care and prevention.
December 1, 2025 – As the last month of the year starts, many families are already decorating their homes for Christmas and New Year's. However, it's important to follow safety precautions, preventive steps, and recommendations from Enel Distribution to avoid electrical hazards.
Every year, electrical accidents occur affecting children and adults, often due to uncertified appliances or electrical devices.
In December of last year, Enel Distribución received 47 calls regarding electrical accidents at homes, which led to fires or minor incidents. This represents an 11% reduction from the 53 alerts recorded the previous year, indicating an improved awareness of the dangers associated with mishandling Christmas decorations. Nonetheless, the importance of enhancing preventive measures against all types of risks during these festivities continues.
In this context, the company introduced its longstanding "Safe Christmas" campaign, focusing on promoting prevention and self-care. Annually, the campaign aims to enhance safety and prevent electrical accidents during holiday celebrations by promoting the use of certified lights, selecting thick-wire garlands, and avoiding the use of outdoor garden lights. While awareness is growing, there remains an opportunity to further emphasize safety precautions within the community.
Enel Distribution seeks to educate the public and provide essential information to prevent and minimize electrical accidents at home. Such incidents can happen when using Christmas decorations, plugs, extension cords, power strips, light bulbs, or garlands without proper safety measures. Additionally, improper installations or products that do not meet safety standards can lead to fires.
Unauthorized handling of Christmas decorations, whether indoors or outdoors, can pose risks to the community's electrical system, particularly when garlands are attached to utility poles or power lines for support. In December of last year, there were 37 incidents linked to this practice.
Enel Distribución advises the public to avoid using sparkler fireworks or metallic challa near power lines or electrical installations, as these items can affect the wiring and potentially lead to short circuits.
Recommendations:
- Purchase lights certified by authorities to ensure safe operation and minimize electrical accident risks that could cause emergencies.
- Choose thick cable garlands, as thinner cables can be cut, cracked, or melted by current. If reusing last year's garlands, check for cuts or cracks; discard if any are found.
- Handle and install extension cords and power strips carefully, avoiding makeshift or overloaded setups.
- Always use proper safety equipment during installation.
- Do not overburden the household electrical system with too many Christmas decorations.
- Refrain from decorating outdoor garden trees, as humidity and watering increase the risk of electrocution.
More tips and details are available HERE