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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(ARA) - When decking the halls and hitting the malls this holiday season, CSA International would like to remind everyone to practice indoor and outdoor safety -- and shop smartly -- by following these simple tips to help ensure a safe and festive holiday:
Holiday shopping: Don’t toy around with fake goodies
Leading up to the holidays many people will be on the hunt for that perfect -- and perfectly priced -- holiday gift, but they should also be on the lookout for fakes. Counterfeit products are not just about knock-off handbags and watches. Phony items can include potentially unsafe items such as electric toys, household appliances, power tools, consumer electronics and other gifts that may present a shock or fire hazard.
Giving a counterfeit item could mean unintentionally putting family and friends at risk for serious or fatal injury or illness. CSA International advises consumers to look for signs that identify a bargain gift item that may be naughty rather than nice.
* Eye spy: Look for the mark.
A system of standards has been put in place to test and certify products: avoid electrical products if a label from a recognized certification organization such as CSA International is missing.
* Say phooey to phonys: Inspect the mark.
Counterfeit marks have distinctive graphic features that are often not accurately reproduced by counterfeiters.
* Drawn to distraction: Inferior packaging.
Counterfeit packaging often has poor design or only partial illustrations.
* You can label me.
Look for misspellings and unclear printing on products and labels.
* What’s missing?
Check for a discrepancy between the contents of the product package and its description, as well as missing product information or package enclosures.
* What’s in a name?
When a product doesn’t include a brand identifier or trademark, it’s likely fake. Brand-name companies want you to know whose product you're buying. Also look for missing return addresses or company contact information.
* Big bad bargains.
If the pricing seems too good to be true, it probably is.
* Quality control.
Check the "look and feel" of goods -- fakes are often too light and too flimsy.
* Don’t I know you? Know your retailer.
If in doubt, buy only from reputable, well-known stores with clearly stated return policies.
* Check marks the spot: Check with the experts.
Confirm CSA International certification of a product by comparing the product’s identification against the certification record at http://directories.csa-international.org
All through the house.
Brighten the Season: Indoor Lighting Safety Tips
* Inspect to protect: Carefully inspect holiday light strings each year and discard any with frayed cords, cracked lamp holders or loose connections.
* Unplug then replace: Unplug light strings before replacing bulbs and check to ensure replacement bulbs match the voltage and wattage of the original bulb.
* If it doesn’t fit: Ensure that bulb reflectors are the right size for the light string.
* Goodnight lights: Always turn off holiday lights when you leave the house unattended or when going to bed.
* Find the CSA International certification mark: When purchasing light strings, extension cords and electrical decorations, look for a certification mark, which provides assurance that the products comply with applicable standards for safety and performance.
* Box it up: After the holidays, store lights and decorations in the original packaging, as they likely contain manufacturer’s instructions on replacement bulbs and details for proper product use.
* Flame out: Do not use open flames or candles on or near flammable materials such as wreaths, natural trees or paper decorations.
For the office:
* Lights out: Ensure that decorative lights are turned off after business hours.
* When attaching, don’t be tacky: Never tack or staple lighting strings or extension cords to the wall or cubicle.
* Keep an eye on hang ups: Avoid hanging decorations from fire sprinklers, blocking exit corridors, or obstructing exit signs, fire extinguishers and hose cabinets.
Let it Glow, Let it Glow, Let it Glow: Outdoor Safety Tips
* Switch off: Before working with outdoor wiring, turn off the electricity to the supply outlet and unplug the connection.
* Look for the certification mark: Ensure that light strings, cords, spotlights and floodlights are certified and marked for outdoor use or wet locations.
* Rise above the rest: When hanging lights outdoors, keep electrical connectors above ground, out of puddles and snow and away from metal gutters.
* Form an attachment: Use insulated fasteners rather than metal nails or tacks to hold light strings in place.
* Bundle that joy away: Remove outdoor lights promptly after the holiday season to avoid damage caused by extended exposure to harsh weather conditions.
* It’s all in the timing: Use an outdoor timer certified by a certification and testing organization such as CSA International to switch lights on and off. Lights should be turned on after 7 p.m. to avoid the electricity rush hour.
* Pardon the interruption: Whenever possible, connect all outdoor lighting into receptacles protected by weatherproof ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). These can provide protection from electric shock by sensing ground leakage and cutting electrical power.
Make Sure Your Hearth is Healthy: Indoor Safety Tips
Gas fireplaces
* No glass, no gas: Do not use your gas fireplace if the glass panel is removed, cracked or broken. Glass panels and frame assemblies should be replaced only by a qualified service person.
* Look for the certification Star: When purchasing or installing a gas fireplace, check for the mark of an accredited certification organization such as the Star mark from CSA International. This indicates the fireplace meets applicable national standards.
Carbon-monoxide alarms
* Sleep tight: Install at least one carbon-monoxide (CO) alarm near bedrooms. Use more than one CO alarm if sleeping areas are located on different levels of your home.
* Instrumental instructions: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing and maintaining your CO alarms.
* Buy the Flame: When purchasing a CO alarm, check for the mark of an accredited certification organization such as the certification Flame and CSA 6.19-01 reference mark from CSA International.
Smoke Alarms
* Put them to the test: Test your smoke alarms monthly to make sure they work. One smoke alarm is not enough. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Only working smoke alarms can give you the precious seconds you may need to escape a fire.
Basement and garage
* Store safely: Do not store combustible materials such as gasoline, propane, paper, chemicals, paint, rags and cleaning products near your gas furnace. Gasoline or propane cylinders must be stored outside the home.
* Flame faux-pas: Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids in the vicinity of your gas furnace or water heater.
* Look for the Flame: Look for the familiar CSA International certification Star mark on your gas-fired furnace or water heater to ensure it has been tested and certified to the applicable standard. Have a qualified heating contractor perform a yearly maintenance check of your furnace and venting system.
To learn more about CSA International certification marks, visit http://www.csa-international.org/certification_marks/
For a fun and interactive Web site on holiday safety that the whole family can enjoy, visit www.csaholiday.com. For more general safety tips, visit http://www.csa.ca/consumers/consumer_site/
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