Spirit Lifting Starts with Smart Gifting: Keeping the Holidays Special Through Safety 

By Lesley Rohrbaugh, Head of Insights & Policy Analysis, UL Standards & Engagement 

Every year around the holidays, little ones across the U.S. dream about bundles of shiny new toys being flown in on ‘Santa’s sleigh.’ Yet for every shipment, there are thousands of dangerous counterfeits. In 2024, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, seized more than 1.5 million dangerous or illegal toys. And despite the rigorous screening, some unfortunately make it through, contributing to the more than 154,000 toy-related trips to the emergency room, and approximately 10 deaths each year for children 12 years and younger.

Consumers need to be vigilant when shopping to ensure they aren’t intentionally or unintentionally buying dangerous fakes. These products may look authentic, but if they don’t conform to safety standards, they will lack the necessary safeguards that otherwise protect consumers from hazards. Thankfully, three-quarters (75%) of holiday shoppers agreed they would take extra precautions to avoid buying counterfeit products, and 73% plan to research product authenticity before purchasing, according to UL Standards & Engagement’s 2024 Holiday Study.

Increased Awareness and Behavior Changes Can Help Keep Consumers Safer

For the second year in a row, UL Standards & Engagement is proud to share its annual Holiday Safety Guide. The guide draws on ULSE’s 2024 Holiday Study, which surveyed 2,004 U.S. adults, and outlines key safety considerations prompted by behavioral changes in gifting, decorating, cooking, and traveling during the holidays. It also features holiday safety tips, informed by ULSE’s extensive catalog of safety standards, which cover almost everything that helps make the holidays safe and special, including ovens and ranges, smoke alarms, outdoor lights, pre-lit Christmas trees, and many of the gifts that top wish lists this year.

As Head of Insights & Policy Analysis at ULSE, I’m proud to steer this study. The holidays are some of the biggest days for gifting, decorating, cooking, and traveling, and by getting a read on how Americans are celebrating each year, we’re able to monitor trends and identify areas where we can help improve safety and consumer awareness as a safety advocacy organization. We believe that increased awareness and behavior changes can help keep consumers safer, which is why we’re happy to share some of the safety insights we’ve picked up in our 120+ year legacy of developing safety standards:

Don’t bargain away safety when buying gifts: Counterfeits are a major safety issue, particularly for electronics and battery-powered items. A concerning minority say they plan to intentionally purchase counterfeit goods (14%) or will consider counterfeit goods if authentic versions are too expensive (18%). Those minority percentages, however, translate to approximately 24 million adults who plan to purchase counterfeit goods and 31 million who will consider them.

If a deal looks too good to be true, think twice. Buying counterfeit items that are not held to any safety standards is inherently more hazardous. These items, especially electronics with batteries, can cause electrical shock, burns, and even fires. When shopping this year, look for items that are certified to relevant safety standards and always follow manufacturer guidelines for use.

Stay bright when hanging lights: While most holiday decorators admit they inspect lights (83%) and power cords (84%) for damage, more than half admit to daisy-chaining, plugging multiple power strips or extension cords together.

We all appreciate the neighbors who go the extra mile to brighten up the neighborhood with holiday lights this time of year, but make sure you’re doing it right. Buy and use products that conform to safety standards, check any electrical decorations for damage before plugging them in, and be sure to plug outdoor lights into weatherproof GFCI outlets. Artificial trees certified to UL 2358 are tested for response to fire, and lights certified to UL 588 are strong enough to withstand normal use without increasing the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.

Make sure you’re covered in the kitchen: The vast majority (87%) of holiday cooks have some sort of smoke alarm system near their kitchens but many remain at risk with only 42% following best practices of testing alarms monthly. Further, many holiday cooks do not have carbon monoxide alarms (53%) or a fire extinguisher (26%) in the kitchen area.

Cooking for the holidays is stressful enough. Give yourself one less thing to worry about by making sure you have working smoke and CO detectors in the house and testing them regularly to make sure they are working properly. Smoke alarms should be installed at least 10 feet from cooking appliances to minimize false alarms while preparing meals for the holidays. Alarms that conform to our standard, UL 217, provide an extra level of safety with improved sensing technology that can differentiate between cooking smoke and early signs of a home fire.

Don’t assume protection when traveling: 81 million Americans plan to travel this holiday season, but many of them are unaware of the risk of carbon monoxide when staying in hotels or short-term rentals. 65% of travelers staying in upscale hotels and 56% in rental properties assume they are protected against carbon monoxide, but codes and regulations vary by state — and fewer than half of states have relevant rules in place.

Make sure your lodging has a carbon monoxide alarm, even if you have to bring your own. There’s no other way to detect CO, since it’s colorless and odorless. Keep a portable CO alarm with you when you travel, and be sure to look out for the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, including headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and confusion.