Caloocan bats for use of safe Christmas lights

MANILA, Philippines - Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri yesterday advised residents to use only safe Christmas lights this holiday season to avoid starting a fire or getting an electric shock.

Echiverri earlier directed city administrator Russel Ramirez and the local Market Inspection Division to check whether Christmas lights being sold in the city bear the tamper-proof Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) seal issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bureau of Product Standards.

He told retailers they will face sanctions if they do not refrain from selling substandard Christmas lights, especially those with very thin electrical wiring and soft metallic plugs or face sanctions.

He said the inspection team will also look for ICC seals dated earlier than 2006, because they will “have to re-inspect the Christmas lights being sold to make sure they are still safe to use.” —Pete Laude