People shopping for toys and electrical products this Christmas are being urged to check that these items meet health and safety standards.

According to the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), all toys and electrical products that are sold in Ireland must display the CE Mark, which shows that these items have achieved specific EU health and safety requirements.

The authority pointed out that between 2005 and 2014, 366 people died in 326 fatal fires in Ireland. Among the instances where the cause of the fire was known, electrical appliances were suspected in 18% of cases, while electric blankets were to blame in 3% of cases.

In 2011 alone, 241 fires were caused by electrical equipment.

"From Christmas fairy lights, to tablets or mobile phones, electrical products make up the majority of our Christmas shopping lists and therefore it's vital you ensure what you are buying is safe and complies with safety standards.

"By law, all toys and electrical products for sale in Ireland must display the CE safety mark. The CE mark is the manufacturer's declaration that the product complies with safety standards and it must be visible on the product itself or on its packaging. If it doesn't have the CE mark, don't buy it," commented the NSAI's chief executive, Maurice Buckley.

He emphasised that toys must also display the CE Mark to show that they have undergone safety testing during their design and manufacturing process. So far this year, 11 children's toys and 10 electrical products have been recalled by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission due to safety concerns.

"Most of the products and services we encounter every day are governed by standards. But unfortunately, due to counterfeiting or the misuse of the CE Mark, there is never a 100% guarantee that a product bearing the mark is safe. That's why NSAI is advising consumers to familiarise yourself with the CE Mark and always buy products from trustworthy shops and online outlets," Mr Buckley said.

He pointed out that the black market costs the Irish economy €1.4 billion a year, with one-third of black market activity occurring during the Christmas period.

The Revenue Commissioners recently confirmed the seizure of a range of counterfeit goods including ‘Frozen' toys, Apple iPhones, Samsung phones and GHD hair straighteners.

The NSAI offers the following tips when purchasing goods this Christmas:

-Only buys toys and electrical products that include the CE Mark. This should be visible on the product or its packaging
-Always check toys for rough edges and dangerous or detachable small parts, or holes which could trap small fingers. Check Christmas lights for signs of damage, such as exposed wires, and replace rather than repair
-Keep decorations and combustible materials away from sources of heat such as fires, light fittings and candles
-Switch off Christmas lights last thing at night or when leaving the house
-If products have an electrical part, read the safety instructions and make sure they are properly insulated. Do not mix old and new batteries in a toy as this can make the older batteries very hot. Always unwind extension cords and do not overload adapters or extension blocks.
-Test that your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working
-Make sure toys are age appropriate for the child they are being given to
-If Santa is bringing items such as bikes or roller blades, ensure those using them have the correct protective gear, such as helmets. These items should also carry a CE Mark
-If you find an item that does not have a CE Mark or appears unsafe, do not buy it. Contact the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission about the item
-Always dispose of items such as plastic bags, string and used batteries as soon as they are not needed any more. Make sure young children do not have access to something that could cause suffocation, such as plastic bags.