Here are the details of their experiment!

Adam and Jamie wanted to test different types of lights as well as normal versus abnormal numbers of lights. They picked up a bunch of C7 3 amp lights and C9 5 amp lights from Fantastico in San Francisco.

Hot boxes and “Maximum Allowable” lights on a tree

Adam stuck each type of Christmas light in a metal box with foil over the top. These “hot boxes” were then left overnight so that the temperature so that they could be measured in the morning.

They also wrapped up the maximum allowable number of lights to leave overnight. The “maximum allowable” amount was dictated by the fuses on the lights. MythTern Jess had to watch over the tree and hot boxes overnight.

In the morning, there were no tree fires and the C7 3 amp lights showed no signs of damage in the hot box. The C9 5amp lights got up to 350 degrees, which was enough to melt them together. Adam was excited by this result, as it sets up the conditions for a potential wire short.

Bypassing the safety measures: 500 lights

Adam and Jamie wired the Christmas lights in parallel to bypass the safety fuses. They were able to string up 500 of the 5 amp C9 lights on the Christmas tree. After five hours, they were able to get up to 228 degrees with accompanying dryness, but no fire. After 8 hours, still no fire.

Creating a spark

Adam strung a bunch of lights to a scary stack of three-outlet adapters together and then connected them to an old extension cord. This configuration sent double the rated power through the extension cord. The insulation on the old extension cord began to melt, causing a spark and a brief flame.

Creating a fire

They upped the ante to replicate the results, going with five times as many lights as before — 2500 — as well as paper garlands and ornaments. Knowing that they were going for fire, they went out to Pleasanton’s fire center and enlisted the help of their fire department. The Pleasanton Fired Department was familiar with Christmas tree fires: in 1997, a child turned on the Christmas lights and the tree immediately ignited.

After 21 minutes, their tree was already at 240 degrees. At 40 minutes, it started getting smoky, but there was no fire.

At this point they decided if 2500 lights hadn’t set things on fire by this point, they would go to their standby ignition: a neon transformer that boosts the voltage to 5000-6000 volts. Jamie: “straightforward, always works, way of getting a fire”

With the Pleasanton Fire Department at the ready, they were able to immediately spark the tree. The fire quickly consumed the entire tree.

Adam: “Firemen have the best toys, ever”

And the conclusion? The heat from Christmas lights cannot set the tree on fire, but other things can.

http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2006/12/episode_68_christmas_tree_ligh.html

Stay safe this Christmas!

Domestic Fire Risk

The main causes of accidental fire remain the misuse of equipment or appliances mostly related to cooking. Fires caused from chip pans, smoking materials and electrical appliances or electrical distribution remain significant. Other causes include chimney fires, electric blanket fires and candles. Homes nowadays contain large amounts of electrical items have a high ‘fire loading’ with carpets, curtains, soft furnishings allowing any fire, once started, to spread easily and rapidly.

This hazard increases at Christmas when the number of occupants in the house can be swelled by relatives and friends.

Also at Christmas, in particular, intoxication plus highly combustible decorations/tree lights/candles can be a lethal combination. Electrical overload is frequently a cause of fires at this time of year with temporary extension leads connecting the tree lights, illuminated signs etc often with wrongly rated fuses in the plugs.

Some simple fire precautions can help reduce such risks.

Smoke Detectors

• Install smoke detector(s) which conform to BS5446 Part 1 and carry the British Standard ‘kitemark’

Candles and Scented Burners

• Place on a heat resistant stable surface
• Ensure there is at least 3ft between the flame and any surface above it
• Never leave unattended when alight

Electrics

• Fit one plug for one socket unless you use an adapter lead. Ensure any adapter has a fuse and the total output is no more than 13 amps
• Ensure that electrical appliances, plugs and electrical leads are in good condition.
• Hot plugs/sockets, scorch marks on plugs/sockets or flickering lights are all signs of problems

Open Fires

• Provide a fire guard but do not place anything on the guard
• Have the chimney swept at least annually

Bedtime Routine

• Switch off and unplug all electrical appliances not designed to stay on including Christmas tree lights!
• Check the cooker is ‘off ‘(grill, hobs, oven)
• Make sure no cigarettes or pipes are still alight – and never smoke in bed
• Make sure any candles or scented burners have been extinguished
• Switch off all portable heaters
• Place guards around any open fires

Why Choose Assisted Claims Loss Assessors?
When choosing a loss assessor you want to make sure that you can trust them to deal with your insurance claim as if it were their own. With Assisted Claims loss assessors you are in safe hands and here is why.

No Win, No Fee.
If we don’t win your insurance claim for you, then we don’t get paid. It is that simple and gives us an extra incentive to get you the best possible settlement. This also gives you some peace of mind – knowing that our loss assessors are going to be doing everything within their power to get you the amount that fairly represents the loss.

Members of the Financial Services Authority
As loss assessors, Assisted Claims are members of the FSA. All loss assessor firms should be regulated by the FSA, so if you are approached by a firm who is not authorised by the FSA, then they are acting illegally and should be reported.

Trade Body
There is no trade organisation for loss assessors and although many, like Assisted Claims, are members of the Institute of Public Loss Assessors, this does not give you any guarantee. It merely informs you that our loss assessors are members of this body, but should you need additional legal help, then the only body that can help you is the FSA.

Our Fee
Our Fee structure means that you only pay a small percentage of your final settlement to our loss assessor team. Our fee structure is based around each individual case and is stated in writing, so that you have complete clarity and understand how everything is structured.

Qualified Professionals
Assisted Claims loss assessors are qualified professionals who understand every inch of your insurance claim. From dealing with the reconstruction of your property and ensuring that the work has been finished to the highest of standards to making sure that you get the best possible settlement.

Customer Satisfaction
We have many satisfied customers who have expressed how much easier we made the process of making an insurance claim. These were people in your situation and we have helped them to get their lives back to normal. We aren’t a faceless company, but a team of people working for you, with your interests at the core of all that we do

A loss assessor will step in to take the burden off your shoulders and deal directly with your insurance company, their loss adjuster and any forensic scientists that they might have appointed.

A loss assessor, in the eventuality of a fire will: Arrange for your home/property to be boarded up, any emergency repairs and generally making the structure safe. If you cannot return to your home then your specially appointed loss assessor will find you alternative, insurance approved accommodation.

If you need to stay in a hotel, then your loss assessor will also attend to the costs incurred.Once you are safe, then your loss assessor will proceed with the claim, ensuring that you receive the best claim settlement.’Back up your data’ say our loss assessorsOther than helping you to make a successful insurance claim, our loss assessors will do everything within their power to ensure that your life is restored to normal as quickly as possible. This is especially important if you have young children or are trying to run a business.

A fire claim is especially hard to deal with, so having professional representation from the off, can seriously help you to get the best possible settlement.

A loss assessor will step in to take the burden off your shoulders and deal directly with your insurance company, their loss adjuster and any forensic scientists that they might have appointed.

A loss assessor, in the eventuality of a fire will:

• Arrange for your home/ property to be boarded up, any emergency repairs and generally making the structure safe.
• If you cannot return to your home then your specially appointed loss assessor will find you alternative, insurance approved accommodation.
• If you need to stay in a hotel, then your loss assessor will also attend to the costs incurred.
• Once you are safe, then your loss assessor will proceed with the claim, ensuring that you receive the best claim settlement.
• ‘Back up your data’ say our loss assessors

If you can prevent something, then you will, but quite often after a fire, flood or theft at a business, data will be lost.Our loss assessors are frequently asked to assist with data recovery and where the majority of times we are able to provide this service; sometimes it is not possible to retrieve the data.

This may be because the data was only in hard, paper copy or because computers have been so damaged and data entirely lost.In light of our findings, we cannot express enough the importance of backing up your data.

Many companies don’t get round to backing up work, client details, websites, accounts etc, because it can be quite time consuming. However, in the event of a fire, knowing that your business can carry on, even in a temporary location, can be very comforting AND save you a lot of money in the long run.

Our loss assessors suggest thinking of it as part of your insurance premium. You may not need it, but if that day comes when you do, you will be glad that you are prepared.If you can prevent something, then you will, but quite often after a fire, flood or theft at a business, data will be lost.

Our loss assessors are frequently asked to assist with data recovery and where the majority of times we are able to provide this service; sometimes it is not possible to retrieve the data. This may be because the data was only in hard, paper copy or because computers have been so damaged and data entirely lost.In light of our findings, we cannot express enough the importance of backing up your data.

Many companies don’t get round to backing up work, client details, websites, accounts etc, because it can be quite time consuming. However, in the event of a fire, knowing that your business can carry on, even in a temporary location, can be very comforting AND save you a lot of money in the long run.Our loss assessors suggest thinking of it as part of your insurance premium. You may not need it, but if that day comes when you do, you will be glad that you are prepared.