Electronic devices top many wish lists this year. Safe Electricity and Valley Rural Electric Cooperative share tips on what to look for so you can help to ensure the electronic gifts you choose will be safe for your loved ones.
If you are purchasing electronics for a child, make sure that batteries, small pieces, and cords do not present safety risks. Be espeically careful that button batteries cannot be easily removed and accidentally swallowed. Remember not to purchase electronics or products that plug into the wall for children under the age of 10. Instead, opt for battery-powered items.
Buying refurbished electronics can cut back on the costs of a new product, however you should always buy used products from brands and manufacturers that you know and trust. If the packaging seems tampered with or is already opened, make certain the product is undamaged and still under warranty. Before you purchase electronics that have already been opened, be sure that all safety components are still in place.
Devices packaged in boxes without a brand name and a certification mark should be regarded with suspicion. Electronics without official markings could be counterfeit products, which are often cheaply made and present safety concerns. Stay away from electrical products sold at temporary venues where you will be unable to make returns.
Although these items are often much less expensive than their certified counterparts, they lack the reliability of electronics that have been tested and marked by an independent laboratory. If the price is well below market value, there is a likelihood that it is a counterfeit.
A certification mark indicates that a product complies with safety standards and has been approved based on quality tests. While these marks, often found on the bottom of a product, cannot guarantee safety, they do indicate compliance with the preset standards. To help ensure safe use of the device, consumers must also properly maintain it and follow all of the manufacturer's directions for use.
Safe Electricity and Valley REC recommends you keep the following tips in mind to help weed out fake safety labels.
- Take a close look at the label for signs of quality. If the label is blurred or torn, do not trust it.
- Check the packaging to ensure there are no misspellings or incorrect information. This is a sure sign of a counterfeit product.
- Buy from brands and certification laboratories you can trust. If you come across a labeling standard unfamiliar to you, check for the legitimacy online. Some common, legitimate marks are UL, CSA, and ETL.
UL marks, which consist of an encircled "UL," are approved by Underwriters Laboratories Standards for Safety. This certification mark can be found on a variety of products, including electrical appliances, computers, and electrical panel boards. UL and the UL logo are trademarks of UL LLC.
CSA marks, which show a "C" with an "SA" inside, indicate that a product has met Canadian Standards Association testing. If there is a "US" underneath the logo, the item has been certified for the United States market. CSA and the CSA logo are trademarks of CSA Group.
ETL listed marks, which have a circled "ETL," indicate that an electric product is in compliance of electrical, gas, and mechanical standards in both the U.S. and Canada. ETL and the ETL logo are commercial marks of Intertek.
For more electrical safety information, visit SafeElectricity.org.
Photo of electronic devices by Mariakray from Pixabay.
Article and gift-wrapped present photo courtesy of SafeElectricity.org with modifications by Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.