NSW:Families warned of Xmas decoration danger

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-2010
NSW:Families warned of Xmas decoration danger

SYDNEY, Dec 1 AAP - Families have been warned about hidden dangers of Christmas lights
and decorations after dodgy goods were discovered on sale in NSW.

Eight types of festive electrical products were removed from shelves during a compliance
blitz by Fair Trading investigators who combed more than 200 stores across the state.

The hazardous items were all imported from overseas and sold at discount retail outlets
and markets, Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge said on Wednesday.

Three house fires in the previous holiday season were sparked by faulty Christmas lights
and shoppers needed to know which products were safe, to prevent similar incidents, Ms
Judge said.

"We want to make sure the festive season is truly festive and doesn't turn into a tragedy
for families and for individuals here in NSW," she told reporters in Sydney.

"Sometimes I know people have tight budgets but ... the product you are getting may
look as though it's affordable but ... if it poses any sort of safety risk to you or your
families, it is just not worth the cost."

Even the trees themselves can pose a threat.

"Synthetic Christmas trees can be highly flammable so only custom-made lights and decorations
should be used," Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan said.

Over-enthusiastic decorating could be dangerous, leading to overloaded electrical circuits,
he said, adding that 711 house fires occurred last December and January.

He warned against stacking powerboards, piggy-backing plugs, and using indoor lights outdoors.

Powerboards with a cut-off were the only safe option, he said.

Approved products are normally identifiable by a mark with a capital letter which corresponds
to the authorising state or territory, followed by a certificate number.

During the statewide blitz, 25 traders were issued with first offence warnings and
three traders were slapped with $500 penalty notices for second offences.

More information about product safety is available at fairtrading.nsw.gov.au.

AAP bzs/wjf/maur

KEYWORD: XMAS LIGHTS

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