Diwali falls on Sunday, 8 November this year, and many homes will spend the next two weeks putting up string lights, lanterns and diyas. A little planning makes the house look better, keeps the electricity bill down and avoids the most common festive hazards.

Choose LED string lights

LED fairy and curtain lights use a fraction of the power of old incandescent bulb strings, stay cool to the touch and last for years, so a set bought this year can come out again next Diwali. Warm white, around 2700 to 3000 kelvin, gives the soft golden glow most people want indoors, while cool white can look harsh at night. Our guide to home lighting explains colour temperature in more detail.

For balconies and doorways, choose sets marked as suitable for outdoor use, since rain and dew can reach plugs and controllers.

Do not overload the sockets

Plugging several light sets, a speaker and a phone charger into one extension board is a common cause of tripped switches and melted plugs. Spread decorations across different sockets, use a good-quality extension board with its own switch, and keep cords out from under rugs and away from door hinges where they can be crushed.

Keep diyas and candles safe

  • Place diyas on a stable, non-flammable surface, away from curtains, paper lanterns and anything children or pets can knock over.
  • Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby, and never leave diyas or candles burning in an empty room.
  • For indoor corners, electric diyas or LED candles give the same glow without an open flame.

Switch off when you sleep

A simple plug-in timer or a smart plug can switch decorative lights off at midnight and back on at dusk. It saves power over the festive weeks and means lights are not left running unattended through the night.

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