DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – With only a few days left before Christmas, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Pangasinan reminded the public to buy only quality and standard Christmas lights to ensure safe observation of the holiday season.
Engr. Guillermo Avelino, Jr., officer-in-charge of the Consumer Protection Division of DTI-Pangasinan, said consumers should buy only those with valid Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers or Philippine Standard (PS) marks to ensure that the product has been tested to safety.
“Christmas lights are safe to use if they passed the tests on the product guide released by the Bureau of Philippine Standards and have conformed to the Philippine National Standards (PNS), prior to their distribution or offering for sale to the market,” Avelino said during the Pantongtongan Tayo virtual presser on Monday.
Aside from the stickers, Avelino added that the public should always take note of the safety features of Christmas lights to prevent fire occurrences in the workplace or at home.
Avelino said the buyer should also check if the products are reliable and safe and should remember the following safety tips of DTI in buying Christmas lights:
- Check if the set of lights has complete parts and functions such as flusher unit, lampholder, lamps or LED, plug, outlet and design frame.
- Check if the wires of Christmas light sets are well secured to the lampholder terminal and if the plug has firm pins that could not be easily bent.
- Check the label if the Christmas lights are categorized for indoor or outdoor use.
- Look for the product label that indicates the name of manufacturer, supplier or distributor, address, trademark, rated voltage, rated wattage of the Christmas light set, batch, lot number or bar code and country of origin.
- Use ICC/PS verification app to spot counterfeit stickers.
Likewise, Avelino reminded all retailers in the province to sell only products with ICC stickers and PS markings as well as switch the stickers to avoid being penalized with monetary fines and cancellation of any DTI-issued permit or license if found to be guilty of the said acts.
He also advised the public to report their complaints on defective or substandard sets of Christmas lights at the DTI-Pangasinan Provincial Office located at the second floor of Star Building in Arellano Street, Dagupan City or call at telephone numbers (075)-551-3183 or 636-3975. (JCR/JPD/EMSA,PIA Pangasinan)
