Safety advice as the big Christmas rush begins

Today (8th December) is usually the start of the big a Christmas shopping rush  – and also traditionally the day to put up your Christmas tree and decorations.
The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) wants to help ensure everyone has a safe Christmas this year, so here’s some advice on what to look out for when buying electrical Christmas decorations and toys.
The authority is advising Christmas shoppers to always check for the CE Mark, especially when buying toys and electrical products this festive season
By law, all toys and electrical products sold in Ireland must display the CE Mark, indicating the item meets the high safety, health and environmental protection requirements of the European Union
NSAI points out that 11 children’s toys and 10 electrical products have been recalled from the Irish market so far this year, over safety concerns
“From Christmas fairy lights, to tablets or mobile phones; electrical products make up the majority of our Christmas shopping lists and therefore it’s vital you ensure what you are buying is safe and complies with safety standards” said CEO of the NSAI, Maurice Buckley.
“By law, all toys and electrical products for sale in Ireland must display the CE safety mark. The CE mark is the manufacturer’s declaration that the product complies with safety standards and it must be visible on the product itself or on its packaging. If it doesn’t have the CE mark, don’t buy it,” Mr. Buckley added.
Theya lso advise shoppers to check toys for rough edges, dangerous or detachable small parts or small holes that could trap little fingers. Check Christmas lights carefully for signs of damage such as frayed or exposed wires, broken or cracked sockets, or loose connections. If your Christmas lights look worn, it is much safer to replace them altogether rather than repairing them.
Reduce the chances of causing a fire and keep decorations and combustible materials well away from light fittings and other sources of heat such as heaters, fireplaces and candles.
Switch out all Christmas lights last thing at night and when leaving the house to protect against the risk of fire. For extra safety, always switch off and unplug appliances and other items when not in use.
Always take care when buying toys with electrical parts or a transformer. Read the safety instructions. The device should be properly insulated and protected to prevent a risk of contact with live wires. Don’t mix old and new or different strength batteries in the toy. That can make the old or weaker batteries very hot. Always unwind extension cords completely to avoid overheating and don’t overload sockets with adaptors or extension blocks.
Test your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms to ensure they are working.
Pay attention to minimum age warnings, for example, “Not suitable for children under three years old” and other warnings. When buying a computer game, check the age cert in case it portrays violence or contains material of an adult nature.
If Santa delivers bikes, roller skates, skateboards or other wheeled items this year, make sure those riding them have the right protective gear. A CE Mark is also required for personal protective equipment, such as helmets, knee pads etc. Never buy protective equipment without a CE Mark.
If you come across a toy or an electrical that seems unsafe or doesn’t have a CE Mark, don’t buy it. Instead, contact The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CPCC).
Always dispose of (in your recycling if possible) discarded wrapping paper, plastic bags, ribbons, string, plastic tags, used batteries etc. as soon as they’re not needed any more. Make sure younger children don’t play with anything that could cause suffocation.
For further information, visit NSAI.ie or follow us on Twitter @NSAI_Standards