Brits urged to avoid dangerous plug adaptors this summer - what to watch out for
Consumer safety group Electrical Safety First tested 14 travel adaptors bought online and found every single one failed UK safety standards.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- ESF tested 14 travel adaptors from online marketplaces and all failed safety checks.
- Issues include multiple pins extending simultaneously and risk of electric shock.
- Online retailers stated the flagged products have been removed from sale.
- Experts advise purchasing from trusted brands and checking for safety shutters.
Holidaymakers heading abroad this summer have been met with an urgent safety warning regarding travel adaptors, following a new investigation that revealed thousands of hazardous devices could still be circulating online.
Consumer safety group Electrical Safety First tested 14 different products purchased directly from AliExpress, Amazon Marketplace, eBay, and TikTok Shop. The batch included six regular travel adaptors and eight universal models, all of which failed to meet essential UK safety requirements, exposing users to potential electric shocks or electrocution risks.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
According to the safety group, six out of the eight universal adaptors tested allowed multiple sets of pins to be exposed at the same time, violating regulations that mandate only one pin set should emerge at once. Furthermore, none met the required mechanical strength standards, with some pins snapping off during stress tests, leaving users vulnerable to shocks if they attempted to retrieve a broken piece from a socket.
"What looks like a bargain could come at a much higher cost."
The six basic travel adaptors also presented severe fire hazards during evaluation. Testers found missing safety shutters designed to block live internal parts, absent fuses, and oversized pin holes—flaws that mirror previous product safety alerts and recalls issued by the Office for Product Safety and Standards.
Travel adaptors are frequently purchased as last-minute holiday essentials without much scrutiny over their technical specifications. However, substandard internal wiring and the absence of proper insulation or fuses can easily lead to severe overheating when paired with high-wattage appliances, turning a simple convenience item into a serious fire hazard.
Representatives from the online marketplaces responded swiftly to the findings. An Amazon spokesperson confirmed that the identified products were removed from sale and automated detection controls are continuously being refined, while AliExpress stated it has removed the items and is actively contacting affected customers to initiate product recalls.
Despite these actions, ESF maintains that online platforms must face stricter legal accountability. The consumer group is calling for marketplaces to be made legally responsible for any dangerous goods sold through their digital storefronts to ensure public safety.
Source: BBC Business
Found something wrong in this article? Report an issue with this article
Comments
Leave a Comment