Many Christmas lights unsafe, EU survey shows

One in three sets of Christmas lights tested in an EU survey presented a direct risk of fire or electric shock.

The EU advises people to be vigilant when buying Christmas lights

One in three sets of Christmas lights tested in an EU survey presented a direct risk of fire or electric shock.

In Hungary, 95.7% of the lights tested were hazardous. In the Netherlands 56% of those checked fell short of compliance standards.
In Hungary, 95.7% of the lights tested were hazardous. In the Netherlands 56% of those checked fell short of compliance standards.
The European Commission, which sets EU-wide safety standards, found thin wiring, weak cord anchorage and poor insulation in many sets of lights.
It says shoppers should go to reputable dealers and switch lights off at night.
Lights should also be switched off when a property is left empty, the commission says.
Hazards were found in 30% of the 196 random samples of lights checked in five EU member states - Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Lighting chains frequently failed more than one of the safety tests.
About 50% of the dangerous products revealed by the survey came from China.