Make a smart choice: Top tips for buying quality Christmas lights

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shares crucial tips to ensure quality Christmas lights purchase.

CEBU CITY, Philippines – With Christmas only nine days away, everyone is likely busy thinking about how to decorate their homes for the festive season.

Apparently, one way to truly embrace the holiday spirit is by embracing the radiant hues of Christmas lights, whether they illuminate the exterior or interior of our homes.

Ines Cajegas, the chief trade industry development specialist of the Consumer Protection Division at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Cebu Province, has provided valuable tips for ensuring the safe and high-quality purchase of Christmas lights during the holiday season.

READ: DTI shares Christmas shopping tips to consumers: Engage in ‘comparison shopping’

When buying Christmas lights, Cajegas emphasized the importance of checking for the Philippine Standard (PS) mark and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark.

Hence, these marks serve as indicators that the string lights you have purchased are safe and of high quality, as they have undergone testing parameters.

However, Cajegas added, “Dili ra pod dapat PS mark and ICC mark atong pangitaon sa atong mga Christmas lights. Tan awon pod nato ang mga packaging; dapat naa siyay manufacturer’s name, trademark, and icheck pod nato ang warning details niya, and also the country of origin, importante pod na siya.”

Cajegas mentioned that Christmas lights designated for indoor use must carry a certification mark, such as the PS mark.

Manufacturers, whether local or foreign, need to apply to the DTI for the PS mark. The certification process involves document evaluation by auditors who conduct on-site visits to verify compliance with Philippine standard certification.

Samples are taken for testing at recognized laboratories. If the product meets safety and quality standards, it is granted the PS mark. The same process applies to the ICC mark.

Moreover, in addition to the labeling requirements, Cajegas also provided a four-point checklist for consumers to remember before making a purchase.

First, inspect the wires. This is to ensure the wires used in the Christmas lights are free from damage and cuts.

Second, check the bulbs. It is important to examine bulbs for durability, making sure they are not easily breakable, cracked, or damaged.

Third, examine the plugs. Consumers have to ensure plugs are sturdy and not prone to easy breakage.

Lastly, test its operation. Cajegas advised that before purchasing, consumers have to make sure the Christmas lights operate properly and have no deficiencies in illumination.

“Importante na sundon ni nato ang requirements and four to-dos, samot na karon kay daghan sunog. Before nato bayran, ato gyud susihon ug maayo,” Cajegas noted.

To all consumers out there, always remember that these basic steps not only make your holiday decorations look good but also keep you safe. /clorenciana

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