CSA International helps happy, healthy holiday homes happen
As they try to stretch their budgets, holiday shoppers are sometimes attracted to lower discount-store prices. It's important to not let unsafe, untested, and uncertified counterfeit products end up under the tree.
The following tips from CSA International are designed to provide everyone a happy, healthy holiday season.
Avoid counterfeits by picking the nice over the naughty - Avoid electrical products that are missing a certification mark from an accredited certification organization, such as CSA International. When products don't include brand identifiers or trademarks, return addresses, or company contact information, they may be fakes. - A counterfeit product often has packaging with an inferior design or partial illustrations. Look for misspellings and unclear print on products and labels. Check the heaviness and the "look and feel" of products. Fakes are often light and flimsy. - If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of extra low bargains on electronics. Keep the festive season bright and safe - Inspect holiday light strings each year and discard any with frayed cords, cracked lamp holders or loose connections. - Never tack or staple lighting strings or extension cords to any surface. Use insulated fasteners such as tape or plastic clips rather than nails or tacks to hold lights in place. - Never run electrical cords through doorways or under carpets and rugs. - Always turn off holiday lights when you leave the home or office unattended or when going to bed. - Do not use open flames or candles on or near flammable materials such as wreaths, trees or paper decorations. - Avoid hanging decorations on or near objects like fire sprinklers, fire extinguishers, exit corridors or exit signs which can hinder one's vision or safety. - Before working with outdoor wiring, turn off the electricity to the supply outlet and unplug the connection. - Ensure that light strings, cords, spotlights and floodlights are certified and marked for outdoor use. - When hanging lights outdoors, keep electrical connectors above ground, out of puddles or snow and away from metal gutters. - Remove lights promptly after the holidays to avoid damage caused by extended exposure to harsh weather conditions. - Use a certified timer to switch lights on and off. Warm and cozy around the home - 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 professional. When purchasing or installing a gas fireplace, check for the mark of an accredited certification organization, such as the Flame mark from CSA International. - 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 and follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing and maintaining your alarms. 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. - Test your smoke alarms monthly. One smoke alarm is not enough; install them 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. - Do not store combustible materials such as holiday wrapping paper, decorations, gasoline, propane, chemicals, paint, rags and cleaning products near your gas furnace. Look for the familiar CSA International certification Flame mark on your gas-fired furnace or water heater to ensure it has been tested and certified to the applicable standard.
Holiday Video
To see and share a fun animated video for the holidays from CSA International, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TqZa-97vKo
For holiday family safety tips, visit: www.csaholiday.com
About CSA International
CSA International is a provider of product testing and certification services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other products. Recognized in the U.S.,
For further information: Anthony Toderian, Manager, Media Relations, CSA Group, T: (416) 747-2620, E: [email protected]; Amy Clark, Environics for CSA Group, T: (416) 969-2758, E: [email protected]
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