There are only a few weeks left until Christmas and those who are out in good time have probably at least started thinking about who will get what under the tree this year.
Some even take the opportunity to buy Christmas presents for loved ones during the sales days that fall towards the end of November, which have come to be known as Black week, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
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The phrase is said to have originated in the 1960s in American Philadelphia. Back then, residents from the city’s suburbs would make the pilgrimage downtown the day after Thanksgiving—which always falls on a Thursday—to buy Christmas presents. The police, who had to deploy extra resources to deal with the traffic chaos that ensued, are said to have called the day “Black Friday”.
Source: Britannica
Photo: Mikaela Landeström/TT
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Before and during the sale, economists and other types of experts have shared various tips to avoid being cheated or overspending during the sale, which originated in the United States from the beginning.
– This is of course a big no-no from an economic perspective, for example the “Lyxfällan” profiler Magnus Hedberg told News24 about some of the things to avoid during the sale days.
READ MORE: Lyxfällan-Magnus: You shouldn’t do that November 29
Check for the important label
But during Black week and Black Friday, you should not only think twice about the purchases you make for Christmas for financial reasons.
A new survey, conducted by Xtreme Insight among Swedish villa and townhouse owners between the ages of 20 and 69, shows that one in six families with children and younger bought products with rechargeable batteries from countries located outside the EU during the past year. This, in turn, can pose a fire hazard.
Photo: Helena Landstedt/TT
Länsförsäkringar is therefore flagging that these purchases may increase during Christmas shopping.
– In order to make the budget enough, it is tempting to buy Christmas presents outside the EU. Then it is important to check that rechargeable products are CE-marked. The number of fires that have started in batteries has increased in recent years. Battery fires can have devastating effects because in many cases they become explosive and difficult to extinguish, says Bertil Janssonloss prevention officer at Länsförsäkringar, i a press release.
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The CE mark at the bottom right. Photo: Stella Pictures
– There is a risk that it will be a boring Christmas present because these products are not as safe as CE-marked products. It is always important to consider fire and safety hazards when charging batteries.
Source: Länsförsäkringar
The CE marking must have a uniform form
At the same time, there have been forgeries of the CE marking. But according to Bertil Jansson, there are ways to check whether a product has received safety certification.
– To see if the product is CE-marked, there must always be a mark on the product or, in cases where it is not possible to put a mark on the product, the mark must be on the product’s packaging, he says to News24 and continues:
– The CE mark itself must have a uniform form. For third-party controlled products, the mark must be supplemented with the identification number of the notified body that carried out the control.
It must also always be provided with complete documentation and technical instructions.
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