Help your community stay electrically safe this holiday season

As we head into the holiday season it is a great time to remind your workers, customers and community about staying safe around electricity.

From Christmas lights, new gadgets or home maintenance - the risks of electric shock, fire, and injury can increase during this busy time of year.

By helping share electrical safety messages, you can make a real difference in keeping your community safe.

Encourage safe purchases and checking for the RCM mark

With sales events for Christmas and Boxing Day already underway, people are snapping up electrical gifts and gadgets. Remind your community to look for the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) when buying electrical equipment. The RCM means the product meets Australian safety standards. Items without this mark may be unsafe, increasing the risk of electric shock or fire.

Go to the Electrical Safety Office (ESO) Facebook post about spotting the RCM and spread the word to your network: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DPGRxkFap/

Raise awareness about lithium-ion battery safety

Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere from e-scooters and e-bikes to power tools and toys. But when damaged or charged incorrectly, they can overheat or catch fire.

Share these simple safety reminders for storing and charging devices with lithium-ion batteries:

Store smart- keep devices in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area away from kids, clutter, and flammable materials.
Think location - avoid storing batteries under or near timber structures, or where important activities happen (like beneath classrooms or living areas).
Give them space- do not stack or pile devices. Proper spacing helps prevent overheating and limits damage if something goes wrong.
Charge with care - always follow manufacturer guidelines for charging. Check the battery charger has the regulatory compliance mark (RCM) which means it meets Australian standards. Never charge overnight or when you are not home.
Stay alert - install smoke alarms near charging areas, keep exits clear, and check devices for damage before plugging in.

Information for the public, retailers and importers can be found at the link below

Lithium-ion battery-operated equipment (including electric scooters)

Promote Christmas light safety

With decorations starting to go up, it is a perfect time to remind others to check their Christmas lights before plugging them in.

Here are some key tips:

Check for the RCM. Make sure your Christmas lights have the RCM as it means they meet Australian safety standards.
Inspect before you connect. Check old or second-hand lights for frayed cords, broken bulbs, or damage before using them.
Keep it weatherproof. For outdoor decorating, choose solar-powered LED lights or extra-low-voltage options (12V or 24V) to prevent shocks, overheating or fires.
Do not be a ‘re-wire’ warrior. Never alter or repair lights yourself, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Water wisely. If you’ve got a real Christmas tree, always switch off and unplug your lights before watering.
Stay clear of powerlines. Never attach lights or leads to/near overhead powerlines, poles or streetlights.

Click here to find out more about Christmas lights safety tips: Christmas lights

Button battery safety

If your business sells or uses products with button batteries, remind customers to check that battery compartments are child-safe and secured with a screw.

Button batteries can cause serious injuries if swallowed, sharing awareness messages with your community and customers can help prevent a tragedy.

For more information, visit Button batteries: Tiny batteries. Big danger.

Remind customers: never DIY electrical work

Holiday downtime often inspires a little DIY, but electrical work is never a do-it-yourself job. It’s illegal and extremely dangerous.

Encourage your customers and community to always use a licensed electrician for electrical work.

For more information

Resources are available from the Electrical Safety Office: Don’t do your own electrical work