Counterfeits Can Kill
(HIT) - Tough economic times may send consumers scouring for inexpensive goods, but consumers may unknowingly be buying counterfeit products. We may be familiar with counterfeit handbags and watches, but there’s a category of counterfeits that can have dire consequences – electrical products. They may look like the real thing on the outside, but the reality is many of these products are made with inferior materials, poor quality construction, and/or missing safety features. Counterfeit circuit breakers, power strips, extension cords, batteries and holiday lights can cause fires, explosions, shocks and electrocutions. Unlike other counterfeit products, counterfeit electrical goods can be extremely difficult to detect.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges consumers to stay away from counterfeit electrical goods and follow these tips to help avoid hazards:
- Scrutinize the product, and its packaging and labeling. Look for a certification mark from an independent testing organization. Some certification labels include a logo and a reference number. Trademarked logos that look different than usual may signal a counterfeit.
- Trust your instincts. If the price is “too good to be true”, it could be because the product is an inferior and unsafe counterfeit.
- Be extra vigilant when buying from an unknown source such as a street vendor, non-authorized dealer, or an individual. Ask about the return policy. Get a receipt. Businesses selling counterfeit goods often don’t report their sales.
- Stay informed. Sign up for CPSC e-mail alerts, so when a dangerous counterfeit product is recalled, you’ll know about it right away.
- Report safety-related incidents to the manufacturer or CPSC. May is Electrical Safety Month.
Visit CPSC’s Web site for additional electrical safety information, or Electrical Safety Foundation International’s Web site at esfi.org.
Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center
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