This year, on February 18, 2023, worshippers will celebrate Lailat al Miraj, one of the most important dates in the history of the Muslim faith. It commemorates the Prophet Muhammad being visited by two archangels, who purified his soul and filled him with knowledge and faith. The Prophet subsequently travelled from Mecca to Jerusalem in a single night on a Buraq, a mythical winged creature. Whilst there, he was tested by Gabriel and passed the tests, ascending through the stages of Heaven, where he met earlier prophets and reached the presence of Allah (God). Millions of Muslims worldwide celebrate these two sacred journeys, and British Muslims celebrate by attending mosque, telling this story to children, and lighting up the night with candles and electric lights.

So what better time for Smartroom to discuss the safe storage of those lights? Here are a few suggestions to consider:

• Always handle lights with care to avoid breaking bulbs or cracking light holders.
• Unless on a reel, pack sets of lights individually to avoid the lights hooking onto or crushing each other.
• Hold lights in place with ties, ribbons, or elastic bands.

For outdoor lights, make sure they are clean and dry before packing. Consider these packing options:

1. Cardboard rectangle: Use a rectangle of card around A4 size with a slit at one end to wrap the light string around, tucking the other end into the slit when you finish.
2. Tubes and towels: Wrap the lights around a solid tube or a hand towel rolled into a tube shape, holding them in place with an elastic band or two.
3. The box the lights came in: Wrap the string of lights around the box instead of tucking them inside, and stuff the box to keep its shape.
4. Clothes hangers: Hook one end of the light strand through a dent of a clothes hanger, wrap the string around the hanger, and hook the other end in the other dent.
5. Cable ties/twist ties: Coil the light string backward and forward, use cable ties to hold them together, and place them on packing paper before wrapping them.
6. Cord reels: Spool the light string around a cord reel and store it covered with fabric or string packing paper.

For fairy lights or string lights with large or shaped bulbs, find or cut a roll of strong plastic the same length as the string of lights, tape the plastic to create a tube around the lights, and spiral the lights, fixing them to hold with string, bands, or tape. For large bulb hanging string lights, wrap them around strong paper and bubble wrap to protect from dust and bumps. Finally, for candles and lanterns, store them in protective boxes and wrap them in strong paper or bubble wrap to keep them safe from damage and dust. Don’t forget to label everything clearly for easy identification.