EU survey shows most Christmas lights are hazardous

An EU survey on Christmas lights revealed that one out of three sets can cause electric jolt and risk of starting a fire.

In Hungary, similar survey showed that 95.7 per cent of Christmas lights on sale in the market were unsafe. Meanwhile, In the Netherlands, 56 per cent fell off the standard set by the government.

The European Commission is the body designated by the European Union in setting and regulating products safety standards. The agency found thin wirings, fragile cable anchorage and insufficient insulation in many of the tested Christmas lights.

The commission also advised the buying public to make purchase on reputable dealers and turn the lights off when not in use especially at night.

Consumer Safety Commissioner Meglena Kuneva said that consumers usually want value for money when buying things but never at the expense of protection.

EU member countries such as Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Slovenia were tested and found that 30 per cent of the 196 samples were defective and hazardous.

Less serious problems were found in 40 per cent of the tested Christmas lights cause no direct danger of injury, yet it failed to meet legal requirements in labelling and directions for use by the European Commission.

The survey also disclosed that Christmas lights made in China were found to be 50 per cent more likely to be dangerous.

The Electrical Safety Council, UK’s supervisory body, advised manufacturers to produce Christmas lights with safety transformers to reduce its voltage. While outdoor lights should have RDC-protected socket that will automatically disconnect when power is unstable.