SafetySense Tech growth adds electrical safety concerns T here are safety considerations for every device powered by electricity. From cars to tech gadgets, advances in technology mean electricity is the energy source for more and more of the devices we use every day. As our use of technology grows, so too must our awareness of electrical safety. Smartphones and Other Gadgets When most people think of counterfeiting, they probably think of money or perhaps knockoff designer handbags. But it's a big business that impacts most segments of the American economy. In 2010, nearly 500,000 smartphone batteries were recalled after they were discovered to be counterfeit. In 2014, consumer electronics ranked second on a list of the most common types of counterfeit goods seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Computers and accessories ranked eighth on that list. These knockoffs aren't just illegal and of inferior quality. They're often dangerous. Counterfeiters have no vested interest in your safety or the integrity of the brand they're impersonating. These products haven't been tested by consumer protection groups and are unlikely to comply with safety regulations. How can you tell if your product is legit? The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) has this advice: * Use established vendors that purchase their goods from legitimate distributors and genuine manufacturers. * Read the packaging and labels carefully. Text should be free of grammatical errors and should not contain conflicting information.http://www.esfi.org http://www.co-opliving.com