Brits urged to avoid dangerous plug adaptors this summer - what to watch out for
Campaign group Electrical Safety First has urged those "heading abroad this summer to think before they buy".
Brits planning international travel this summer are advised to steer clear of hazardous plug adaptors, following an investigation that suggests thousands of such items may be available for purchase online.
Consumer safety organization Electrical Safety First (ESF) conducted tests on 14 products sourced from AliExpress, Amazon Marketplace, eBay, and TikTok Shop. All products failed to meet UK safety standards, with some devices potentially exposing users to severe electric shock or electrocution.
AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, and TikTok have all stated that they have removed the flagged products and prioritize product safety. However, Giuseppe Capanna, ESF product safety engineer, urged travelers to "think before they buy" when heading abroad this summer, warning that "what looks like a bargain could come at a much higher cost." He also recommended purchasing travel adaptors from reputable retailers for confident travel.
ESF examined six standard travel adaptors and eight universal adaptors due to suspected safety concerns. For sale in the UK, adaptors must not have accessible live parts, and only one set of pins should be exposed at a time. The charity discovered that six of the eight universal adaptors allowed multiple pin sets to be exposed simultaneously. None of the eight met the required dimensions and mechanical strength, with some pins breaking under force during testing. ESF warned that attempting to remove a broken pin from a socket could result in electric shock.
One travel adaptor tested by Electrical Safety First was found to lack a surge protector, despite its labeling. The six basic travel adaptors also presented fire safety risks, including missing safety shutters (which protect against contact with live internal parts), absent fuses, and oversized pin holes.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has previously highlighted such issues in travel adaptor alerts, recently ordering a recall for a product lacking safety shutters and rejecting the import of another due to a serious fire risk from non-compliant plug dimensions.
Online reviews seen by ESF raised concerns about the widespread purchase and use of the tested devices. An Amazon Marketplace user claimed a device "fell apart in their hands" and that they "could have been electrocuted" if it had happened during use. An Amazon spokesperson stated, "We require all products offered in our store to comply with applicable laws, regulations and our own policies," confirming the removal of identified products and a commitment to refining controls for undetected issues.
An AliExpress review of a universal travel adaptor reported it exploding during use. An AliExpress spokesperson informed the BBC that flagged products were removed, and affected customers were being contacted for a recall. They added that a broader review of universal travel adaptor listings showing all plug pins extended simultaneously has been initiated, with such listings to be restricted until corrected by sellers.
An eBay spokesperson highlighted their use of "technology, AI-supported monitoring and specialist teams to help maintain a safe and trusted marketplace," stating these efforts prevent millions of potentially unsafe items from being listed annually. TikTok affirmed its "robust" enforcement of policies, with 99.5% of violative products removed before listing.
Despite these assurances, ESF believes the government should do more to hold online sellers accountable. Capanna stated, "Shopping in the UK is currently far too dangerous," and criticized platforms for failing to prevent dangerous goods from being freely available, despite claims of prioritizing customer safety. ESF advocates for online marketplaces to be held legally responsible for products sold on their sites to better protect consumers from hazardous electrical goods.
Consumer group Which? recently reported finding online phone chargers with similar dangers. Sue Davies, head of consumer protection, commented, "Badly designed electricals can have life-altering - even fatal - consequences," expressing dismay that online marketplaces continue to allow dangerous products to reach consumers despite numerous warnings.
An adaptor purchased by ESF from TikTok Shop failed tests because multiple sets of its pins could be retracted simultaneously.
**Key Warning Signs for Dangerous Travel Adaptors:**
1. **Multiple Pins Retractable:** Capanna identifies a universal travel adaptor allowing multiple pins to extend at once as "the most immediate sign it is dangerous," posing significant risks of electric shock or electrocution.
2. **Visible Internal Parts:** Being able to see internal components through socket holes indicates unsafety; adaptors should have safety shutters.
3. **Spelling and Grammar Errors:** Capanna suggests that spelling and grammar mistakes can signal a lack of care in product manufacturing.