Each year we see more and more ingenious variations in Christmas lights. The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) is hereby reminding consumers about some basic safety issues related to consumer products normally bought during this festive season.

According to market surveillance plans, inspections regarding these products have been under way for some time over the past weeks and non conforming products have already been found on the market. Very recently, a flicker being sold in conjunction with decorative lighting chains was found to be unsafe by MCCAA’s product safety officers. With reference to the adjoined pictures, such device does not have shutters protecting its electrical connections: thus making the consumer prone for electrocution. Furthermore, when in use and connected to the mains supply, this product does not incorporate a mechanical lock for preventing incidental disassembly, whilst still plugged to a mains socket outlet.

The MCCAA warns economic operators that the above product has to be immediately removed from the market and that action will be taken against such operators that opt to (illegally) continue to offer such devices. The Authority also advises consumers to refrain from using these products and to return them to their point of sales.

The MCCAA would like to take this opportunity to remind consumers that, when buying such electrical decorations, s/he should always look for the CE marking, which is a key indicator of a product’s compliance to all applicable EU legislation. Moreover one should see that the product has the appropriate voltage rating for our electrical system (230V, 50Hz), see that the relevant warnings in Maltese or English accompany the product and that the product has a proper 3-pin termination for direct connection to our electrical system.

Should consumers have any concerns regarding the safety of the above mentioned products or any other consumer products, they are urged to contact the Technical Regulations Division within the MCCAA on telephone number 2395 2000.

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