Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Home Fire Hazard


While designer handbag knock-offs might make you look fashionable, purchasing some counterfeit products to save a few bucks could cost you more in the end. In 2007 UL (Underwriters Laboratories-a product safety certification organization) sent out a press release warning consumers of counterfeit surge protectors. So what's the big deal?

Well, the surge protectors in question were using undersized wire and insufficient insulation. On top of that they didn't have a ground wire or surge protection. This information may be Greek to you (it's Greek to me, too.) The main thing you need to know is that the product's failure to meet UL standards made it a fire hazard and put users at risk of electric shock.

Make sure you are up to date on product warnings and recalls by visiting UL's Public Notices page.

Also, for you savvy shoppers out there, electronics and handbags aren't the only products with a false façade. Check out this video from Yahoo Finance featuring the Top 5 counterfeited products. Warning! You may want to toss that designer impostor perfume you bought at the drug store.

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