How to shop safely this Christmas: your guide to spotting quality marks
From toys to Christmas lights, here's how to ensure your festive purchases meet safety standards and reduce risks this season.
With the festive season in full swing, shopping for gifts, toys, and decorations can feel exciting and overwhelming. However, recent warnings highlight a serious concern: the rise of unsafe and poorly manufactured products illegally sold in the UK.
Reports from consumer group Which? reveal alarming safety issues with toys and other goods available online, prompting BSI, the UK’s national standards body, to issue advice for safe shopping this Christmas.
Here’s what parents and shoppers need to know to protect their families and ensure their festive purchases meet trusted safety standards.
What are safety marks, and why are they important?
Safety marks, such as the BSI Kitemark, CE, and UKCA, are symbols that indicate a product has been tested to meet specific safety, quality, and performance standards. These marks are especially crucial for items used by children or in the home, where risks can include choking hazards, electrical faults, or even fire hazards.
Todd Redwood, Global Managing Director for Consumer, Retail and Food at BSI, explains:
Quality marks are there to reassure consumers that products have been designed and rigorously tested with safety in mind. By making informed choices, consumers can enhance the joy of the festivities while minimizing risks.
Children’s toys: what to look for
For parents, ensuring toys are safe is a top priority. Before adding items to your shopping basket, check for the CE or UKCA mark. These indicate the toy complies with essential safety requirements, such as checks for flammability, toxic chemicals, and mechanical hazards.
If you’re gifting helmets for cycling, skating, or horse riding, look for the BSI Kitemark. This mark ensures the product has been tested for shock absorption, penetration resistance, and durability, offering peace of mind for parents and active kids alike.
Electronic decorations: staying safe with festive lighting
Christmas lights are a must-have for creating festive cheer, but poorly made electrical goods can pose serious risks. Frayed wires, exposed cords, or overheating can lead to accidents.
BSI recommends:
- Inspecting decorations for wear and tear.
- Choosing new products with the CE or UKCA symbol, which demonstrate that they’ve been tested for reliability and safety.
When buying remanufactured electrical goods—used items restored to meet their original specifications—opt for products certified to the BSI Kitemark. This certification ensures they have undergone rigorous testing, providing a safer and more reliable option for your home.
Safe online shopping: how to protect yourself
The convenience of online shopping is undeniable, especially during the festive period. However, the risks of counterfeit products or insecure websites increase during this time.
Digital transactions surge by up to 30% over the holidays, according to cybersecurity firm Darktrace, making it essential to stay vigilant.
David Mudd, BSI’s Assurance Global Head for Digital Trust, advises:
Choosing websites and products with recognised security certifications is paramount. Without these assurances, you are potentially exposing your financial and personal data to cybercriminals.
To shop safely online:
- Look for the Secure Digital Transactions Kitemark on websites, ensuring they meet stringent cybersecurity standards.
- Use trusted retailers and avoid unfamiliar platforms offering deals that seem too good to be true.
Shopping smart not only protects your family from harm but also helps promote responsible practices in the market. By choosing products with recognised safety marks, you’re supporting companies that prioritise quality and consumer welfare.
Whether you’re buying toys, lights, or tech, taking a few moments to check for safety symbols can help make your Christmas both joyful and safe.
For more information on safety standards and certifications, visit the BSI website.
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.
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