BEST CHRISTMAS LIGHTS 2005
• Do you want to win £75?
• Do you decorate the outside of your house with Christmas lights?
• Are you a member of the Homespride+ Scheme?
If the answer is yes, then telephone 01332 711163 to enter our Christmas Lights Competition 2005.
You must contact us before Monday 19 December to register your entry.
Judging will take place on Tuesday 20 December 2005 with one winner in the north of the City and one winner in the south. Winners will be announced in the January edition of Derby Homes News.
Terms and conditions
• You must have been a tenant with Derby Homes for at least 12 months immediately before the closing date of the competition and you must have signed up for the Homespride+ scheme.
• If you have a current or valid Notice of Seeking Possession for anti-social behaviour you are not eligible to enter.
• If you work for Derby Homes, Derby Benefits or are a Derby City Councillor or Derby Homes Board Member, you are not eligible to enter.
• There will be two first prizes of £75, one for the north and one for the south. No runner up prizes.
• Your decorations must be in a safe condition and secured properly to your home. Any decorations that are seen to be unsafe will disqualify you from the competition.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS - SAFETY ADVICE
With Christmas only a few weeks away Derby Homes would like everyone to have a safe and happy festive season. Now is the time you will probably be getting those boxes of Christmas lights out of the loft or cupboard to decorate your home.
We would like to offer you some advice to help you make your indoor and outdoor displays as safe as possible.
If you have old lights, seriously consider buying new ones which will meet much higher safety standards.
Buying
• Look for safety marks – for example BS Kitemark.
• Buy from a reputable store.
• Avoid buying second-hand unless you have them professionally checked first.
• New lights are transformed down to 24 volt for added safety, or they may be double insulated.
Checking
• NEVER insert or remove bulbs when switched on.
• Inspect cables and bulbs for damage.
• Do not use lights which are damaged, dispose of them safely.
Using
• Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Use an RCD - Residual Current Device, for added protection against shock.
• Don't run the cable under carpets or where it can be damaged.
• Keep lights clear of decorations and other flammable materials.
• Avoid cables becoming a tripping hazard.
• Use a stable support when hanging the lights.
• Don't leave the lights on when the room is empty. Remember to switch them off when you go to bed and when you go out of the house.
• Don't allow children to play with the lights.
• If bulbs blow, replace them. Turn off and unplug the lights first.
• Check for overloaded plugs - you should fit one plug per socket unless you use a bar adapter on a lead. But don’t plug appliances into the adapter that collectively use more than 13 amps of current.
• Do not use the lights outdoors unless specially made for such use.
• Don’t extend cables on outdoor lights.
• Never use extension leads or plugs and sockets outdoors unless specifically designed for outdoor use.
Storing
• Take care when dismantling and packing the lights not to damage them.
• Keep them safely stored away out of reach of children.
• Avoid damp or excessively hot conditions.
For more information contact Terry Turner on 01332 711074