The holidays are often a blur. Once the turkey hits the table, it feels like a sprint to the New Year’s Eve ball drop. During that stretch, I wear many hats: Thanksgiving host, holiday decorator, and mom-slash-chief gift buyer.
One hat I wear year-round though is employee of a safety organization. That’s the one that shapes how I approach the season — especially with Black Friday around the corner. As I’m scanning for bargains, I’m also on the lookout to avoid “deals” that are too good to be true.
Counterfeit Gifts Aren’t in Santa’s Bag
of holiday shoppers say they have knowingly or unknowingly purchased a counterfeit gift
One of my biggest worries this time of year is counterfeit products. More than one-third (36%) of holiday shoppers in ULSE’s 2025 Holiday Safety Guide survey say they have knowingly or unknowingly purchased a counterfeit gift. The problem is enormous: in 2024 alone, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized more than 32 million counterfeit goods.
With tween and teen kids, our household wish lists have evolved from Barbies and stuffed animals to tablets and drones — items powered by lithium-ion batteries. At UL Standards & Engagement, we routinely monitor incidents of these batteries catching fire, and I want to make sure my family never becomes one of those stories.
Many of these incidents involve products purchased online — often suspected of being counterfeit. In fact, 70% of consumers who bought a counterfeit gift did so online. Counterfeiters now use AI-generated images and polished storefronts that make dangerous fakes harder to spot.
The criminals behind these products aren’t concerned with your safety; they’re concerned with profit. Counterfeits are the absence of safety standards. Look for gifts this season that are certified to safety standards, buy from trusted retailers, and dig in on product reviews — especially those lower ratings — to reveal if the deal is hiding a hazard.
Counterfeits Aren’t Just Knockoff Handbags
The morning after Thanksgiving, my inner Clark Griswold kicks in. I’m up early hauling bins from the attic and stringing up as many lights as the house will hold — plus some new ones each year.
A lot of consumers limit their view of counterfeits to luxury goods like watches and handbags, but electrical products are counterfeited too, including extension cords, phone chargers, and multi-plug outlets. In one safety test of 400 counterfeit Apple adapters, only three passed — a 99% failure rate. These substandard products pose serious dangers, from electric shock to overcharging and short circuits that can spark a fire.
To protect your home, look for products certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Certification marks signal that items have been tested to applicable safety standards, like UL 588 for seasonal and holiday décor.
Even with genuine products, you can take extra steps to stay safe: check for damage like frayed wires and use extension cords that are the correct size and length. Skip the daisy chaining — it’s a common but risky mistake.
Timers: A Hack for Silent Nights
Light timers pull double duty during the holidays. They save energy and spare you the nightly “turn off the lights” routine. But they also support safety: if something goes wrong with a lighted decoration, you want to be awake to respond quickly. A timer makes it easier to ensure lights are off before you fall asleep.
I also use a timer on the charging cabinet in our house — where all our rechargeable devices live. Overcharging can increase fire risk, so knowing we’re not charging things overnight offers real peace of mind.
The holidays should be filled with celebration — not preventable hazards. When you choose certified products, avoid counterfeits, and use simple tools like timers, you’re giving yourself the gift of a merry, bright, and safe season.
Thanksgiving is about celebrating with people you love, and a few precautions can make your gathering memorable for all the right reasons.
