As if it could escape your notice, it's almost winter. The sky is darkening earlier and the weather is getting much, much worse, but that's no reason not to spend time outdoors.
It's hot chocolate season, after all, and there's nothing like a bracing November breeze to help you appreciate a warm beverage.
That doesn't mean it has to be uncomfortable out there. We have a couple of outdoor lighting and heating solutions to help you beat the elements.
Safety First!
Electrical items intended for outdoor use need to be IP rated. The IP (Ingress Protection) code rates units on two dimensions: the first digit rates the device's protection against solid objects.
This first degree of protection is rated from 0-6.
At the lower end of the scale (towards zero) the device is protected against large objects such as fingers, whereas a rating of 6 indicates that the device is completely dust-proof.
The second degree of protection rates the item's protection from moisture.
A 1 or a 2 indicates the item is capable of withstanding dripping water for ten minutes; a unit rated 6 is protected against powerful jets.
A device rated at "8" is designed for underwater use.
What can we use to safely heat and light the outdoors?
This advanced outdoor patio heater is weatherproofed to IP55 - withstanding dust and streams of water from a nozzle such as a hosepipe.
It emits radiant heat that is not affected by the wind; so it will keep you warm all through the winter through its lifespan of about 5,000 hours.
And this bold aluminium Toronto Plus outdoor wall light is perfectly suited to light your outdoor areas this winter.
Rated to IP65, it is extremely resilient to even the worst weather.
Of course, that's not the only option at Sparks; we have a whole range of outdoor lights.
Which of these fittings for the outdoors is your favourite? More importantly: how do you take your hot chocolate?
