Lighting Displays in Public Spaces: What You Need to Know About Health & Safety

As the festive season approaches and towns begin to switch on their Christmas lights, the streets come to life, and so do the crowds. While lighting displays add that all-important sparkle to winter evenings, there’s a serious side to consider too: public safety.

From electrical risks and trip hazards to winter weather and crowd movement, there’s a lot to think about when installing lighting in public spaces. Whether you're working for a council, a BID, or managing a retail precinct, understanding the risks and how to manage them well, is key to delivering a display that’s safe as well as spectacular.

Great displays start with thoughtful planning. In the colder months, low light, wet conditions, and increased footfall make safety even more important. Think about how your space will be used: are there areas where puddles form or paths get slippery? Do people gather for events or late-night shopping?

The design should account for things like isolator placement, secure mounting points, and power access, but it also needs to support smooth pedestrian flow and visibility, particularly near crossings, steps, or kerbs. Highlighting uneven ground or raised surfaces with lighting or contrasting materials can help reduce trip risks in busy areas. It’s often the small touches that make a big difference when footfall spikes in the run-up to Christmas.

In festive displays, the temptation can be to go big on visual impact, but behind every safe and reliable display is good-quality kit. Cold temperatures, rain, frost and even snow all put pressure on your lighting infrastructure, so using the right materials is essential.

Only commercial-grade lighting should be used for outdoor displays, particularly when they’ll be exposed to winter weather and large crowds. Look for products with appropriate IP ratings, certified for public use, and designed to withstand repeated installations. Not only will this help avoid failures or faults mid-season, it’s also vital for staying compliant with UK safety standards.

Winter installations often happen while town centres are still open to the public or during big events like switch-on nights. That’s why many professional installers work out-of-hours or during quieter times to minimise disruption and risk.

SafeContractor-approved teams and ILP members will always provide the correct RAMS and insurance and should talk you through how they’ll manage site access, power, and temporary works. When choosing an installation partner, always ask about their experience working in live public environments and their approach to festive event coordination.