The gift of safety

UL reminds families to consider not only cost but also safety when purchasing gifts for loved ones.

Although families may spend less this holiday season, they should not skimp on safety. To save money, consumers may be looking for sales, shopping at discount stores and surfing the Web to find a good bargain. But it is not a bargain if the gift you are giving comes at an unintended price. UL, one of the world's leading  safety organizations, urges families to focus on safety when purchasing gifts this holiday season.

What many consumers don't realize is that not all products that make it to store shelves meet important safety standards. And, some products that are found at some deep-discount stores may pose potential safety hazards, especially if they are counterfeit or do not legitimately bear a recognized safety certification mark, such as the UL Mark (the letters "UL" inside a circle). Without an accredited safety certification mark there is no way to tell if the gift you are giving has been tested to strict UL requirements that help avoid foreseeable safety risks.

Finding the perfect "safe" gift for your family and friends does not mean you have to blow the budget. Before hitting the stores, UL recommends following these simple tips to ensure you are making safety a priority in your gift giving this year:

• Shop at retailers you know and trust -- Whether you are shopping online or heading to the mall, make sure it is a place you believe to be reliable and reputable. Many retailers require their products to be UL-Listed, meaning the products have been rigorously tested and are evaluated for potential risk of fire, shock, and/or personal injury.
• Look for the UL Mark -- UL encourages consumers to look for a reputable certification mark on the product and/or packaging.
  • Consumers should look for the UL Mark (the letters "UL" inside a circle) and the word "LISTED" in capital letters on the product or its packaging to determine if the product has been properly certified.
• Examine packaging -- Consumers should thoroughly examine new products prior to use and pay particular attention to products in boxes or packages that do not offer the following:
  • Brand name
  • Manufacturer's name with contact information for reporting problems with the product
  • Product name and identity (i.e. a description of what the product is exactly)

As the leading safety testing and certification organization in North America, UL has conducted product safety testing for more than 115 years. Each year, 21 billion UL Marks appear on more than 19,000 types of products - from hair dryers to digital cameras - all of which have been evaluated to meet nationally recognized standards. The UL Mark means the product has been certified for safety regarding foreseeable hazards, like electric shock, fire and mechanical dangers.

"With so many gifts to choose from, safety is one thing that should not be compromised," says John Drengenberg, manager of Consumer Affairs for UL. "Regardless of your budget - big or small - product safety is very important and should be considered this and every holiday season."