Health Canada Reminds Canadians of Electrical Safety This Holiday Season

Health Canada Reminds Canadians of Electrical Safety This Holiday Season

Advisory2008-180

Electrical products, such as sparkling lights, decorations and plug-in toys, form a central part of holiday celebrations in Canada. With the holiday season quickly approaching, Health Canada is reminding the public to choose certified electrical products and to use them properly.

Electrical products that are not properly certified to the standards required by provincial and territorial electrical authorities can lead to electrical shock and fire, resulting in property damage, injury, and even death. When buying electrical products, make sure that they bear one of the recognized Certification marks or Field Evaluation marks (below). These marks ensure that the products are certified to the required Canadian electrical safety standards. If you notice products which do not bear at least one of these marks, report them to the retailer and to your provincial, territorial, or municipal Electrical Safety Authority, or to Health Canada. Note that several marks require the letter 'c' to designate certification to Canadian electrical safety standards. Also note that marks are required on the product itself; marks on the packaging alone are not acceptable.

Recognized Certification Marks

Recognized Field Evaluation Agency Marks

Source: Electrical Safety Authority

If a mark is not present, the product may be counterfeit. Counterfeit electrical products pose health and safety hazards. However, counterfeiters are skilled at mimicking legitimate products, and can apply false certification markings. A reliable way to tell if a product is counterfeit is by its selling price; if a product is offered at an extremely low price, it could be counterfeit.

Purchasing from reputable establishments can help you avoid counterfeit products.

More information about electrical safety is available from:
City of Winnipeg 204-986-5258
Government of the Yukon 867-667-5485
Manitoba Hydro 204-992-7501
British Columbia Safety Authority 1-866-566-7233
City of Calgary 403-268-2113
Prince Edward Island Department of Community and Cultural Affairs 902-368-5470
Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour 902-424-8018
Saskatchewan -- SaskPower 306-566-2518
Ontario -- Electrical Safety Authority 1-877-372-7233
Government of the North West Territories 867-873-7461
Alberta Municipal Affairs 1-866-421-6929
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador 709-729-0907
Québec -- Régie du bâtiment du Québec 514-864-2903
New Brunswick -- Department of Public Safety 506-444-5185
City of Vancouver 604-873-7561
Government of Nunavut Community & Government Services 867-975-5448

You may also contact your regional Health Canada Product Safety office toll free at 1-866-662-0666 or by e-mail at cps-spc@hc.gc.ca (please indicate the province or territory from which you are corresponding).