A news report by Which? shows the dangers posed by cheap Christmas tree lights sold by third party sellers through AliExpress, eBay and Wish.
Their advice is “don’t buy these lights, or take them down if you already have, as they could light up your Christmas in all the wrong ways.”
Nearly half of the Christmas tree lights that Which? bought from AliExpress, eBay and Wish were electrically unsafe and dangerous to use. While more than 90% of those we checked – including four models from Amazon Marketplace – failed to meet the standard allowing them to be lawfully sold in the UK.
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Read their full article here.
Wrexham Trading Standards Officers inspected local shops, and purchased nine sets of lights. They all passed compliance tests, and they were all safe to use.
If you are looking for new Christmas lights, think carefully about safety. Buy from legitimate sources and check the product. All light sets should carry the CE mark, should include details of the manufacturer or importer and should contain full instructions. If in doubt, do not buy. If you have concerns about a light set you have bought, do not use them and contact Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline 03454 040506.
The Which? Results point to significant risk when purchasing from unknown suppliers on ebay and from international sources. Christmas tree lights that are poor quality may present a risk of fire or shock – neither of which are conducive to a Happy Christmas. Don’t play with fire, play safe and shop smart.
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