Electrical imports in safety shock report

ATTEMPTS to save money by buying bargain-priced electrical appliances from abroad can lead to a major safety hazard.

A report published yesterday warns consumers to think twice before ordering electrical goods from outside Europe after an investigation by trading standards watchdogs revealed nearly all such goods were unsafe.

Some 25 electrical appliances bought from China and Hong Kong all failed safety tests carried out by trading standards officers. The items, all advertised to the European or UK market, included hairdryers, hair straighteners, mains adaptors for games consoles and laptop chargers.

In some cases, the customer had to inform the seller of the country of destination so the correct voltage appliance could be supplied.

While three items tested failed due to problems with labelling and markings, 22 items failed on issues that could be serious and were considered unsafe, according to trading standards.

If bought in the UK or Europe, trading standards would have been able to take action against the producers and, if necessary, remove them from the market.

Eddie Coventry, head of Gloucestershire trading standards, said: "Buying electrical items from countries outside Europe can be dangerous. Many people don't know that products may be of a different voltage or frequency, and, therefore, present a safety risk, even a danger of electrocution.

"Products are being bought from all over the world on the web. As well as some of these being unsafe, we have received complaints where cheap chargers have been used with expensive electrical equipment, resulting in irreparable damage.

"As they have been bought from outside Europe, customers can do very little about it. Getting 'a bargain' simply isn't worth the risk."