Business Update

Christmas lights are a declared article

Because of this, Christmas lights  must carry the name of a manufacturer or supplier, a voltage rating and an electrical approval number.

Last year Energy Safety prosecuted one supplier and warned numerous others. The maximum fine for breaches of the prohibition or approval is $10,000.

As part of its ongoing compliance monitoring, Energy Safety has been keeping an eye on the supply of decorative and Christmas lights.  Prohibited and non- approved lights have been found on offer for sale on online auctions, such as Trade Me, and in particular shops that start up and trade just for the Christmas period.

Online traders and one-off shops appear to be unaware or unconcerned about the safety requirements,  often selling with little or no product knowledge and not giving much thought to the risk electricity presents to their customers.

The unsafe lights are a low-cost item, often sold in unmarked plastic bags or generic Christmas lighting boxes. The product packaging and wording may vary, but known wording says ‘Christmas Decorations’, ‘Rice Lights’ or ‘Multifunction Rice Lights’.

The lights’ electricity supply leads may split and peel away when moved back and forth, exposing live wires. They also can easily come away from the control box.

The plugs on some of the light sets have aluminium pins that can be easily bent and could break in the socket outlet leaving an exposed live pin.

For more information or if you have some concerns about Christmas lights, please go to www.energysafety.govt.nz or call 0508 377 463.