December 3, 2008
NOTE: This information is from a previously printed press release, newsletter, or other dated document. It is presented here for archival purposes only.
NORTHBROOK, Ill., November 24, 2008 -- Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), a world leader in product safety testing and certification services since 1894, is on a mission to help educate consumers on how to keep their families and homes safe his holiday season. To help deliver the message, UL has partnered with television and film actor and new mom, Keri Russell, to launch a safety movement called Just Look for UL. This long-term campaign is designed to teach consumers the easy steps for making their homes safe by simply looking for the UL Mark. This Mark means that a product has been evaluated by the world's most trusted independent test laboratory.
"I'm so pleased to be working with UL to help spread the word not just about holiday safety, but safety in general," said Russell. "As a parent, keeping my son safe and protected is important to me, so I'm proud to be part of a campaign to help families avoid potential holiday dangers and ensure that their homes are safe for their children and loved ones," Russell added.
The Just Look for UL campaign recently launched with a new microsite - www.safetyathome.com - where consumers can get home safety tips, take a safety quiz, learn more about the safety campaign, and see UL's holiday public service announcement (PSA) featuring Russell that begins airing nationally on December 3rd. Additionally, the campaign will feature national print advertising in parenting and entertainment magazines, events at Simon and Westfield Malls nationwide, sponsorships of holiday tree lighting ceremonies in Chicago, New York and Washington, DC, online content at Amazon.com and AOL, as well as holiday program integration on HGTV and NBC.
While the holiday season is one of the most joyous times of the year, the increase in home cooking and use of decorations and lights during these weeks also increases the risk of home fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, nearly 47,000 fires occur nationally each year during the holidays, claiming more the 500 lives, causing more than 2,200 injuries and costing $554 million in property damage.
"Many fires that happen during the holiday season can be prevented by taking the right precautions," said John Drengenberg, Manager - Consumer Affairs, UL. "UL is helping consumers make smart, safe choices this holiday season by educating them that by simply looking for the UL Mark on electrical products, they can be confident that those products have been tested and certified."
Additional tips for keeping your home safe this holiday season include:
- Be sure to turn off any electrical lights, decorations and space heaters before leaving home or going to bed
- Use the holiday season as an opportunity to practice a fire escape plan with your loved ones
- Do not connect more than three miniature light strings together. Light strings with larger, screw-in bulbs should have no more than 50 bulbs connected