Elizabeth Harrington of the Washington Free Beacon details the latest great idea from federal regulators.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a regulation for Christmas lights on Monday, deeming some holiday decorations a “substantial product hazard.”
“The Consumer Product Safety Commission … is issuing a final rule to specify that seasonal and decorative lighting products that do not contain any one of three readily observable characteristics (minimum wire size, sufficient strain relief, or overcurrent protection), as addressed in a voluntary standard, are deemed a substantial product hazard under the Consumer Product Safety Act (“CPSA”),” the final rule said.
The ruling applies to a variety of Christmas decorations, including “stars, wreathes, candles without shades, light sculptures, blow-molded (plastic) figures, and animated figures.”
However, “solar-powered products” are exempt. [Emphasis added.]
The CPSC said the regulation is necessary because Christmas lights can be dangerous.
“A lighting string provided with decorative covers over the lamps is a decorative outfit,” the final rule said. “If not constructed properly, lighting powered by 120 volts can be damaged easily and can pose a risk of electrical shock or fire.”
