Eight million put up Christmas light displays

Showy outdoor Christmas light displays are more popular than ever among homeowners, with eight million people spending nearly £800 million decorating the outside of their homes this year¹.

Research by Direct Line Home reveals that one in five (19 per cent) Brits will be illuminating their homes this year, a million more than in 2005². Despite this growing trend, one in three (30 per cent) of us still think outdoor Christmas light displays are tacky and distasteful.

A desire to keep up with the Joneses is fuelling this seasonal fad, with one in seven (14 per cent) saying they are copying their neighbours’ display. Kid power also plays a role, with one in three Brits (34 per cent) saying that their children’s Christmas enthusiasm has persuaded them to light up their homes.

For many enthusiasts (62 per cent), Christmas lights are the ultimate way to get into the festive spirit, although only one in seven (16 per cent) of us actually believe that these displays make our homes more attractive.

Direct Line Home Insurance spokesperson Carmel McCarthy comments:

“Outdoor lights are a great way to get in to the Christmas spirit, and this is the main reason that these displays have become so popular. However, with the average set of outdoor lights costing around £100, homeowners need to make sure they’re covered for any festive decorating.

“Outdoor lights also carry health and safety risks, so people need to remember to take safety precautions if they do wish to decorate their home to prevent an accident or fire.”

ADVICE FOR PUTTING UP OUTDOOR LIGHTS

• Indoors or outside, use only lights that conform to EU safety standards
Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets
• Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted
• Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated staples, nails or pins, to hold strings in place. Or, run strings of lights through hooks
• Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire
• For added electric-shock protection, plug outdoor electric lights and decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold. GFCIs can be installed permanently to household circuits by a qualified electrician
• For more information, log on to www.directline.com/home

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  Carmel McCarthy/Direct Line Press Office
  0208 256 2178 / 07717 294529
  Email: carmel.mccarthy@directline.com

  Notes to Editors:

  YouGov interviewed 2,334 GB Adults online between 20 – 23rd October 2006 and 2,745 GB Adults online between 9th – 14th November 2006. Results are weighted to be representative of the GB adult population.
  ¹ 19 per cent of the UK will be decorating the outside of their homes with lights this Christmas. 0.19 X 45,434,879 (ONS population) = 8,632,627. They value these items at an average of £91.81 = £792,561,485, approx £800 million.
  ²Of the 19 per cent decorating the outsides of their homes (8,632,627), 11 per cent will be doing so for the first time this year = 0.11 x 8,632,627 = 949,588. approx 1million.