As the holiday season approaches, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in General Santos City is reminding consumers anew to be cautious when buying Christmas lights and decorations to prevent fire incidents.

DTI warns the public to purchase only Christmas lights with a Philippine Standard (PS) mark or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker to ensure product safety.

“Hindi worth the risk na masunugan ka dahil sa mga substandard or unregistered na products na ito,” DTI GenSan Senior Trade Development Specialist, Elyka Agan, said.

DTI added that stores selling uncertified Christmas lights could face penalties.

“Let’s say may rice cooker, may Christmas lights, may TV na walang PS or ICC mark, bawat product na iyon ay pwede siyang ma-fine ng 25,000 per product,” Agan added.

The agency also reminded those reusing old Christmas lights to inspect them thoroughly before use.

“Tapon natin ang mga luma at sira na Christmas lights. Kung may Christmas lights tayo na maayos pa, pero alam natin na may sunog og patay na bumbilya palitan muna natin ang mga patay na bumbilya na yun bago natin siya gamitin,” Agan said.