Counterfeit Christmas Lights Pose Major Fire Risk

Buyer beware! This holiday season, thrifty shoppers who buy low-price Christmas lights and other cheap electrical accessories may be putting their homes and even their very lives in extreme danger.

Kessler International, a global anti-counterfeiting firm based in New York City, has witnessed a significant presence of dangerous counterfeit electrical products for sale this holiday season, particularly strings of Christmas lights, extension cords (both outdoor and indoor) and multiple-outlet power strips. While seemingly innocuous to the untrained eye, these phony goods do not meet safety standards and are usually considered to be severe fire hazards.

In safety tests conducted by various consumer and certification organizations, many of the forged products found in dollar stores and street corner shops were found to burst into flames after only minutes of use, and poor-quality construction posed serious shock risks and fuse failures.

Most of these items, which usually sell for much less than quality products, are found with forged safety certification stickers or with no certification at all. The result is utter disaster for many innocent people who were unaware of the dangers of purchasing these ultra-cheap holiday decorations. Unwitting consumers have lost their homes, and sometimes their lives, simply because they wanted to save a few dollars.

Typically, counterfeit electrical items are found in privately-owned dollar stores, local shops and street vendors, often sold at extremely low prices. Sometimes, famous brands are blatantly copied right down to the model numbers, and sometimes these products simply mimic the look of famous logos and packaging. Either way, using these illegal, poorly-made goods is a ticket to tragedy.

But how do you know if the string of lights you purchased for the holidays is safe? Generally, sticking to large chain stores will filter out the products that are potential dangers, since these retailers are generally much more discriminating when selecting merchandise than local mom-and-pop shops. However, if you must browse the discount aisles, look for the UL mark (the letters UL in a circle) on any electrical items you consider. UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is an independent safety testing organization, and their seal means that engineers have tested a representative of the product and have certified its safety.

Unfortunately, even the UL mark can be counterfeited, so beware of poorly-printed labels and inaccurate colors. To combat this type of forgery, UL has produced silver holographic labels that are often affixed to holiday decorations and other inexpensive, high-volume electrical items, as well as green and red labels for indoor-only and indoor/outdoor holiday products respectively. Additionally, be sure to keep in mind that a genuine UL mark contains the following elements:

- The word "LISTED" in capital letters
- A control number or issue number (typically 4 to 6 alpha-numeric characters)
- A product identification (i.e., "CLASS 2 POWER SUPPLY")

It is important to remember how a little spark from a defective product can change your life in an instant. Hospitals treat more than 12,000 people for injuries related to holiday decorations each year, and burning Christmas trees alone account for more than $10 million in annual property damage.

By using only quality, certified lights and electrical components, you are actively ensuring your safety while simultaneously helping to weaken a criminal industry that relies strictly on consumer support and is known to fund terrorist organizations.

Don't rest your fate upon a 99-cent extension cord… look for genuine safety labels and only purchase from reputable retailers. You life just might depend on it!




For more information about Kessler International or how to fight against product counterfeiting, contact Michael Kessler toll free at 1-800-932-2221 or visit the Kessler International website at www.investigation.com.