Local firefighters remind residents to check certifications while shopping online

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 28, 2025.

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com

Medicine Hat firefighters are reminding Black Friday shoppers to make sure any electronics purchased online have the proper safety certification to ensure they have been tested in Canada.

In a public announcement Thursday, firefighters say any electronics purchased online, or products with batteries, should include safety certification logos including CSA, UL or ETL.

These labels indicate the items have been properly tested and are safe for use in Canada, while uncertified products have the potential to overheat, fault to shut off or cause a fire.

During the summer, firefighters posed a similar public announcement for online shoppers after a local resident had a fire start in a home when the homeowner fell asleep with a vape pen underneath their pillow.

Some products on major online retailers, like Amazon, may contain lithium-ion batteries which have not undergone safety testing meeting Canadian standards.

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