Give your loved ones and yourself the gift of safety. If you plan to add to or replace some of your holiday decorations this season, follow this tip sheet to be sure you purchase safe electrical products.
Purchasing Tips
- Always buy electrical equipment that displays a label indicating it has undergone independent testing by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Intertek (ETL), or Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
- Only make purchases from trusted retailers to avoid the risk of purchasing counterfeit products.
- Be sure to buy decorations according to your intended use outdoors or indoors.
- Send warranty and product registration forms to manufacturers in order to be notified promptly in the event of a product recall.
Artificial vs. Natural Trees
- When buying a natural tree look for a well-hydrated one with vibrant green needles that are hard to pluck and don’t break easily from its branches.
- Look for a trunk sticky with sap when purchasing a natural tree.
- For natural trees, be sure your tree stand holds plenty of water so you can keep it hydrated.
- According to the American Christmas Tree Association, artificial trees cost 70% less over 10 years.
- If you use an artificial tree, choose one that is tested and labeled as fire resistant.
Light-Emitting Diode (LED) vs. Incandescent Holiday Lights
- LED lights last up to 20 times longer than traditional incandescent lights.
- LEDs generate less heat—which translates into greater energy-efficiency.
- LEDs are made with epoxy lenses, not glass and are much more durable.
- LEDs are initially more expensive, but will recover some of the cost through energy savings.
- Incandescent holiday lights burn more brightly than LEDs.
