THE craze for external Christmas lights has sparked alarm among fire chiefs throughout Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

The new fad, which has come from the United States, has seen the number of heavily-decorated houses increase dramatically.

Now, fire officials want to mount a safety campaign for next year to alert people to the potential dangers of festive trimmings.

"We do have concerns about this decorating of houses which seems to have sprouted from America," said David O'Dwyer, chief fire officer at Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade.

"The difficulty is, the voltage system in America is 110 volts and we use 240 volts which is less safe.

"There haven't been any incidents involving any sort of Christmas decorations in Hereford or Worcester, but nationally there have been some."

At yesterday's Combined Fire Authority Meeting, Wyre Forest District Council leader Mike Oborski said the use of outside lights had rocketed in the county.

"Last year if you wanted to see Christmas lights in Kidderminster you went into the town centre, but this year you go to Comberton," said Coun Oborski.

Phenomenon

He asked if there was any advice, either leaflets or some other form of publicity, that could be handed out to householders who wanted to decorate their houses.

"I realise it's a very new phenomenon," he said.

"But if not, could this be available for Christmas 2002?"

Although Mr O'Dwyer pointed out decorations came with guidance, he admitted advice was not always followed.

"Usually decorations meet the approved safety system, but we dig them out year after year and we don't necessarily maintain them as we should. I believe there's the potential for a hazard," added Mr O'Dwyer.

Fire safety officers are set to draw up an action plan to offer guidance for householders wanting to decorate their homes ready for next year's festive season.