It's hard to imagine December without the sparkling lights of garlands. These festive decorations can be seen on Christmas trees, in houses and apartments, in shop windows, and on city streets. However, there are several nuances. Experts from Perm Polytechnic University have prepared valuable recommendations for choosing a safe and energy-efficient garland. They explained why you shouldn't place it on curtains, what the EAC mark means, and how a festive decoration can affect your health.
Ivan Kalinin, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Microprocessor Automation Systems at Perm Polytechnic University, said that if you compare lamps with the same level of luminous flux, LED garlands will consume less energy and, therefore, heat up less.
In LED lamps, the light source is a light-emitting diode or an LED matrix, which gave the name to this type of lamp — LED (Light-emitting diode). Compared to traditional incandescent lamps, this design significantly reduces energy consumption, reduces size, increases resistance to mechanical stress, and increases service life.
The duration of the New Year's decor, as a rule, is not limited in time, but it is recommended to disconnect it from the network when it is not in use, like any other electrical equipment.
Safety First
The quality and safety of the garland depend on how correctly it is assembled and how it is used. Each festive decoration must have instructions in Russian and an EAC mark, which confirms that the product meets the requirements of the Eurasian Economic Union.
The wires should not have visible damage, such as cracks, stretches, or burrs. The distance from the plug to the nearest light bulb should be at least 1.5 meters.
The power of the garland can be found in the technical specifications, which are indicated in the instructions, on the packaging, or on the label next to the plug.
Before using the garland, make sure that it works in accordance with the modes declared by the manufacturer, the expert advised. Do not turn it on immediately after bringing it from the street. Let it lie at room temperature for about half an hour. A sharp temperature drop can lead to condensation, which can cause short circuits and breakdowns.
High-quality new generation decorations with LED lamps emit almost no heat. But from the point of view of fire safety, the garland should not be placed so that it comes into contact with paper, wood, or flammable fabrics.
It is necessary to understand that we are talking about electrical devices, and even minor damage to the insulation of wires can cause instantaneous ignition.
Caution, Sharp Odor!
The specialist recommends not to purchase decorative items that emit a sharp and unpleasant odor. This may be due to the fact that the manufacturer used low-quality materials for the manufacture of plastic parts or wire insulation.
Such a smell indicates the release of various toxic substances into the air and can lead to unwanted allergic reactions, headaches, and deterioration of well-being.
During the operation of the garland, a smell may appear due to the melting of the insulating coating of wires or plastic elements. If the device has damage or a manufacturing defect, this may lead to a fire. In this case, it is necessary to immediately disconnect the garland from the network and ventilate the room.
Advantages of Battery-Powered Garlands
A battery-powered garland is a universal option for use in any conditions, whether it is a dacha or a yard. Its main advantage over classic garlands is low voltage and overload protection. This is especially important for homes with children and pets.
Another important recommendation: a couple of hours before bedtime, it is better to turn off the garland or reduce the intensity of its radiation in the short-wave blue-violet part of the spectrum. This will help maintain the natural sleep-wake cycle without disrupting circadian rhythms. In addition, if you notice that your eyes are tired or you have other unpleasant sensations, you should immediately stop the exposure to flickering light.
The Wildberries team, on the eve of the New Year, announced new rules regarding the purchase and sale of certified fireworks, firecrackers, sparklers and other similar goods. Now, only pyrotechnics of classes 1–3, which are considered the safest to use and store, can be sold on the marketplace.
It is important to note that the storage, assembly and delivery of orders to pick-up points will be carried out by the sellers of such goods themselves. Wildberries will only act as an intermediary between the seller and the buyer.
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