There are only few weeks left before the Christmas season. Everyone, especially those who celebrate Christmas have already started decorating their homes and offices with decors while preparing their long list for toys and gifts for their godchildren. The Christmas season is indeed the most festive and colorful tradition around the globe. Although for those who do not celebrate, there are still refreshed to see others smile on the streets and greet others nice things because of the spirit of the season.
And as many decorate their houses, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) advises everyone to be cautious with the products they buy particularly Christmas lights. With the introduction of imitation or fake products that are substandard, the DTI gives guidelines how to buy safe and effective items. Remember the tragedy of the De Venecia family years ago? It was a very sad story for they lost a family member due to house fire. The fire allegedly originated from the big Christmas tree in the middle of their staircase. The Christmas tree was wrapped with Christmas lights that were left on for 24 hours. The investigators believe that there had been an overload or a circuit that has caused the fire to start.
This sad story is a lesson to all for keeping their families safe even at home. And one way of preventing such event is to start being cautious with the products we buy aside from the fact that we have to check our appliances or any other properties inside the house every now and then. As for the lights and other electronic gadgets, it is better to have a regular daily check to monitor their performance and observe safety measures.
Going back to DTI’s advisory, the Bureau of Product Standards (DTI-BPS) once again reminds consumers to be vigilant and buy only imported Christmas lights that bear the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark so as to ensure product’s quality and safe use.
DTI-BPS Director Jesus L. Motoomull said that in preparation with the fast approaching Christmas season, the Bureau begins to prompt consumers to be extra cautious in buying Christmas lights to enjoy a hazard-free holiday.
“Those cheap and uncertified sets of Christmas lights pose great hazards to its users, such as electric shock and overheating that often leads to fire. Only those Christmas lights with the ICC marks are safe and reliable to use as these products passed the required safety tests and inspections based on a specific standard,” said Director Motoomull.
DTI regulates the sale of Christmas lights in the local market to protect consumers from the hazards posed by this critical product. Under the BPS Product Certification Scheme, all importers of Christmas lights are required to apply for the ICC Certificate, and subject their products to tests based on the requirement of Philippine National Standards on Christmas lights (PNS 189:2000) at the BPS Testing Center, prior to its sale. Only those importers whose products comply with PNS requirements are issued with the ICC Certificate, and are authorized to affix the ICC marks in their products.
Director Motoomull added that aside from looking for the ICC mark, consumers should also check if the sets of Christmas lights are completely labeled with the manufacturer’s/supplier’s/distributor’s name, address and trademark, rated voltage and rated wattage of the set; rated voltage and rated wattage of the lamp; the words, “For indoor use only”; the number of this standard (PNS 189:2000); and the batch/lot number or bar code.”
He added that to further guide consumers on how to use the product, each set of Christmas lights should have suitable warning such as, “do not cascade/attach more than three (3) or the recommended sets of Christmas lights to avoid overloading”, “disconnect from supply before removing or inserting any lamp”, “avoid damage to insulation”, and “failed lamps shall be replaced immediately by lamps of the same rated voltage and wattage to avoid risk of overheating.
