Christmas lights in safety recall

The affected lights could cause electric shock or fire

Three retailers are recalling more than half a million sets of Christmas lights after a safety alert.

Asda, Safeway and Ikea have said people should stop using the affected products immediately because they could cause electric shock or fires.

The companies have apologised and offered refunds.

Asda is recalling no fewer than 17 products, mainly from its Smartprice range, while Safeway is calling back two, and Ikea one.

Some of Asda's lights, which have been on sale since September, feature faulty fuse bulbs which could overheat.

Precaution

An Asda spokeswoman said: "As a precautionary measure, Asda has withdrawn all these products, and is urging customers who have bought any of them to remove them from display and return them to their nearest store as soon as possible."

"We only had two complaints, but in the interests of safety we didn't want to take any chances."

She added that all customers returning an affected product would be given a full refund and £5 Asda voucher.

"Asda apologises sincerely for the inconvenience caused," she said.

The Asda products affected include lights from its Smartprice range as well as its double filament lights, and its star tree-toppers.

Safeway has recalled its red and clear 15 metre rope lights following what it said was a small number of complaints.

The products feature a fault which presents a potential fire risk, and Safeway customers have been asked to stop using them immediately and return them to their nearest store for a full refund.

Tinsel

Furniture chain Ikea has called back its Strala tinsel tree lights after it emerged that tinsel could get into the sockets when bulbs were being changed, possibly causing electric shocks.

"Our customers' health and safety is our biggest concern, therefore we kindly ask you to return this product to your nearest Ikea store," the company said in a statement.

The following products are affected:

Asda
• Smartprice 20 Indoor Multicolour Fairy Lights
• Smartprice 40 Indoor Multicolour Fairy Lights
• Smartprice 20 Indoor Multicolour Fairy Lights
• Smartprice 20 Indoor Clear Lights
• Smartprice 80 Indoor Multicolour Fairy Lights
• Smartprice 50 Indoor Twinkling Multicolour Lights
• Smartprice 50 Indoor Twinkling Clear Lights
• Smartprice 40 Indoor Multicolour Lights
• Smartprice 40 Indoor Clear Lights
• Smartprice 200 Indoor Multicolour Lights
• Smartprice 200 Indoor Clear Lights
• Smartprice 100 Indoor Twinkling Multicolour Lights
• Smartprice 100 Indoor Twinkling Clear Lights
• Smartprice 100 Indoor Multicolour Lights
• Smartprice 100 Indoor Clear Lights
• 100 Indoor Double Filament Lights
• Star Tree Topper

Safeway
• Red 15m rope lights
• Clear 15m rope lights

Ikea
• Strala tinsel tree lights