HOW SAFE ARE NEON SIGNS?

A1deSIGNS are constantly getting asked about the safety of neon signs and whether they are safe to use in business. The answer to this question is quite simple, but one which we would like to elaborate on… The Safety of Neon A lot of people conjure their own opinions on the safety of neon signs, without seeking advice from an expert. We are glad when people ask about the safety of neon lighting as we can help to get the correct message across. So, is Neon Signage Safe to Use? The quick answer is YES; neon signage is incredibly safe to use, providing it is well looked after and treated with respect. Neon lighting dates back over 100 years to the time when it was first invented (take a look at the history of neon, here), and with over a century’s worth of development, you can feel confident that modern day neon signs are more reliable and safe than ever before. Over the years, neon has become more and more popular, with businesses all over the world using neon signage as part of their advertising campaigns to attract more business and draw attention. Major world cities such as Tokyo, London and Las Vegas are prime examples of places where neon lighting can be seen lighting up the streets. If it’s good enough for some of the world’s top businesses in some of the most populous locations, it’s safe to say that neon lighting is safe to use – but we don’t just take their word for it. Why do People Think Neon Isn’t Safe to Use? A lot of people worry about the inert gases that are used to manufacture neon signs. Generally, it’s thought that these types of gases can be harmful if the tubes are damaged and the gases are released into the air. When neon lighting is damaged, the electric charge is instantly switched off, meaning there will be no current passing through the gases. A lot of people also aren’t aware that we breathe in neon on a daily basis. There are actually minute quantities in the air around us all the time. If you take a deep breath, you’ll breathe in a volume of neon as big as an orange pip. The fact that we live and breathe in neon on a day-to-day basis is a strong insight into the safety of it. But it’s not only the gases that people worry about when talking about the safety of neon signage. People also worry that the signs can get hot and burn you. So, Can Neon Signs Burn You? No. Neon is perfectly safe to the touch and will not burn you. When manufactured and installed correctly, neon will only ever run warm. The electrodes that are attached to each piece of neon tubing, that create the start and end point for the current to travel, do get hot and should not be touched. However we at A1deSIGNS, just like any other reputable company, will cover these with rubber caps we call electrode sleeves. If you are concerned about people being able to remove these, then when we make your sign, we can fix them on with silicone, meaning they would have to be cut off to remove. Any other part of the neon is perfectly safe to touch and has no risk of burning, this is a myth we often hear repeated by people who do not actually make or handle neon. Neon Sign Safety Every neon sign created by A1deSIGNS is done so in-house. Our signs are made from glass tubes and depending on the colour of the sign, a clear, powder coated glass or coloured glass will be used. The signs are then filled with neon or argon gas, which depends on what the final colour needs to be. Once the signs are complete, they are extremely safe and should have a long lifespan if they are well looked after. Learn more about how neon signs are made With years of experience specialising in the design and manufacturing of neon signage, we understand what it takes to produce safe signage that can be used in both domestic and commercial environments. Safety is our number one priority with every sign that we create, so you can rest assured that when you buy a neon sign from A1deSIGNS, the product you receive has been well-designed and manufactured from start to finish. If you would like to learn more about the safety of neon signs, please take the time to get in touch and we can talk to you about any type of project you have in mind.