This blender, heater, EV charger and LED light were all found not to meet UK safety standards (Pictures: Getty/Electrical Safety First)
With the cost of bills and the household shopping increasing steadily over recent months, it can be tempting to look online and try to find savings.
But new research shows some products being sold on popular websites fail to meet safety standards and could even pose a ‘risk to life’.
An investigation by Electrical Safety First (ESF) found nearly four in 10 people use online marketplaces to compare prices – but they fear this could expose shoppers to dangerous goods as they try to keep money in their pockets.
ESF investigated electrical goods listed on Amazon Marketplace, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, AliExpress and Wish and found more than 50 listings were unsafe.
One EV charging cable bought on eBay had a risk of electric shock and overheating when tested in a specialist lab – and a portable heater purchased on the same website posed a ‘risk to life’ with 240 volts running through a heating element with an insecure cover.
The investigation also found hair dryers and straighteners which posed fire and electric shock risks, a kitchen blender which began to overheat and pour smoke after a minute of use, and dangerous e-bike chargers.
Lesley Rudd, chief executive of ESF, said: ‘With so many people feeling the squeeze, we’re concerned that more shoppers than ever could be exposing themselves to risk from supposed bargains found on online marketplaces.
‘These products can come at a dangerous cost. People are buying everyday products like hair dryers and phone chargers online without knowing the hazards they present.
This blender purchased on eBay started to smoke and overheat within a minute of first turning it on (Pictures: Electrical Safety First)
This portable heater purchased on eBay posed a ‘risk to life’ (Pictures: Electrical Safety First)
How to make safer electrical purchases online
Don’t buy on price alone – not all bargains are worth it
Some fakes are for sale just below the recommended retail value, hoodwinking shoppers that are too savvy to fall for the ‘too good to be true’ deals. Make sure you do your homework if you decide to buy products below high street retail prices.
Don’t just take the seller’s word for it – or the reviewer’s
Beware of a product with solely glowing reviews, especially if the reviewers aren’t verified. Some sites cross-reference user reviews with their buyer database and label those people as ‘verified purchasers’.
Know where you’re buying from
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Make sure you know where the supplier is based, a ‘co.uk’ URL doesn’t guarantee the website is UK based.
If there is no address supplied, or there is just a PO Box, be wary; many substandard electrical goods are manufactured overseas, where they will not be safety tested and are produced as quickly and cheaply as possible.
Beware of words qualifying an item’s authenticity
If the seller claims the product is ‘genuine’, ‘real’ or ‘authentic’ double check the source. Most reputable retailers don’t need to sell their products like this.
Stick to reputable retailers you know and trust
This is the most important thing you can do to keep yourself safe.
‘Third-party sellers are well aware of consumers’ desire to save money right now, so they are flooding the UK with cheap, poor-quality electricals through online marketplaces.
‘We’re even seeing them invest in advertising to drive sales, despite their products putting consumers at serious risk.
‘That’s why the Government must act urgently to protect people by introducing legislation that forces online marketplaces to take reasonable steps to ensure the products they sell on their platforms are safe.’
The top 10 most dangerous products found during the investigation were:
This five-in-one hair styler presented both a fire and electric shock risk (Pictures: Electrical Safety First)
An energy-saving device, with unsafe plug pins and unapproved internal electronic components. This item has already been recalled as unsafe by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). Listed for sale on eBay.
A portable heater, with easy access to live parts with 240 volts running through the heating element, posing an imminent risk to life. Listed for sale on eBay.
A ‘water-proof’ extension lead with no water-proof capabilities that presents a significant risk of electric shock. This item has already been recalled as unsafe by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). Listed for sale on Amazon Marketplace.
An EV charging cable failed lab testing, presenting a risk of electric shock and overheating to potentially cause a fire. Listed for sale on Amazon Marketplace.
A universal extension lead, found through testing to present an electric shock risk. Listed for sale on Amazon Marketplace.
A 5-in-1 hair styler, had an unsafe plug without a fuse and presents a significant fire risk. The product also comes apart easily without the need for a tool, exposing live parts and presenting a shock risk. Listed for sale on eBay.
A plug-in light, with an unsafe plug without a fuse and presenting a significant fire risk. The product also comes apart easily, exposing live parts and presenting a shock risk. Listed for sale on eBay.
A fast charger 20W, with a non-compliant plug and body design that interferes with the socket switch. Listed for sale on Amazon Marketplace.
Travel adaptor (universal), with easy access to live parts and presenting an electric shock risk. Listed for sale on eBay.
A 3200W food blender, was found to present an overheating and fire risk in testing – produced smoke from the motor when turned on for the first time. Listed for sale on eBay.
A portable heater purchased on eBay had 240 volts running through a heating element with an insecure cover.